10.1 Reconstruction - March 2003 To July 2004

SECTION 10.
1
RECONSTRUCTION: MARCH 2003 TO JUNE 2004
Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................ 3
UK post-conflict objectives and planning assumption....................................................... 4
Humanitarian assistance................................................................................................... 7
Coalition-building............................................................................................................. 18
Post-conflict reconstruction and ORHA........................................................................... 22
Responsibility for reconstruction............................................................................... 22
UK concerns over participation in ORHA.................................................................. 28
Decisions to increase UK support for ORHA............................................................. 43
Reconstruction strategy and funding......................................................................... 60
Concerns over the scale of the reconstruction challenge and ORHAsresponse..... 62
Resolution 1483........................................................................................................ 70
The return to a war footing, June 2003.......................................................................... 72
Advice on the UKs responsibilities as an Occupying Power.................................... 83
The first UK plan for reconstruction in the South, 12 June........................................ 86
Making CPA(South) a model..................................................................................... 92
Establishing a British Fiefdom in the South, July 2003................................................... 99
CPAs Vision for Iraq and Achieving the Vision implementation plan................... 101
Sir Hilary Synnott arrives in Basra, 30 July............................................................. 106
Responding to deteriorating security............................................................................. 109
Pressure to provide additional funding for reconstruction....................................... 122
Staffing the CPA and new structures in London...................................................... 131
First cross-Whitehall Strategy for Iraq..................................................................... 134
Lobbying for a level playing field for UK businesses............................................... 136
Madrid Donors Conference, 23 and 24 October 2003.................................................. 136
Priorities for the last six months of Occupation............................................................. 141
Responding to the new, shorter timetable for the transfer of sovereignty............... 145
DFIDs Interim Country Assistance Plan................................................................. 156
The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
Planning and preparing for the transfer of sovereignty................................................. 163

UK Transition Plan for Iraq...................................................................................... 166
UK Transition Plan for Southern Iraq...................................................................... 173
Reports from Iraq.................................................................................................... 175
Resolution 1546...................................................................................................... 185
The state of Iraq on the eve of transition....................................................................... 188
Sir Hilary Synnotts assessment.............................................................................. 191
Resources available for reconstruction......................................................................... 191
UK funding for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction................................... 193
UK support for the CPA........................................................................................... 193
Reflections on the level of resources available for reconstruction.......................... 194
10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004
Introduction
1. Section 10 addresses the UK contribution to humanitarian assistance and
reconstruction in Iraq between 2003 and 2009:
This Section (10.1) covers the period between March 2003 and the end of the
Occupation of Iraq in June 2004.
Section 10.2 continues the story from July 2004 to 2009.
2. Sections 10.1 and 10.2 consider:
humanitarian assistance;
the UKs engagement with the US on reconstruction, including with the US-led
Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) and the Coalition
Provisional Authority (CPA); and
the development and implementation of UK reconstruction policy, strategy

and plans;
the UKs engagement with successive Iraqi governments on reconstruction.
3. Section 10.3 addresses five issues in more detail:
UK policy on Iraqs oil and oil revenues;

the Governments support for UK business in securing reconstruction contracts;
debt relief;
asylum; and
reform of the Governments approach to post-conflict reconstruction and
stabilisation.
4. Those issues are addressed separately from the main reconstruction narrative, in
order to provide a clearer account of the development of the UKs engagement.
5. This Section does not consider:
planning and preparing to provide humanitarian assistance and reconstruction,

which is addressed in Sections 6.4 and 6.5;
the financial and human resources available for post-conflict reconstruction,
addressed in Sections 13 and 15 respectively;
de-Baathification and Security Sector Reform (SSR), addressed in Sections 11
and 12 respectively; and
wider UK policy towards Iraq in the post-conflict period, addressed in Section 9.
6. During the period covered by the Inquiry, the Government used a number of different
terms to describe post-conflict activity in Iraq, including reconstruction. It did not
generally define those terms. The Inquiry uses the term reconstruction in line with the
Governments common usage:
to include work to repair and build infrastructure, deliver essential services and
create jobs;
to include work to build the capacity of Iraqi institutions and reform Iraqs
economic, legislative and governance structures; and
to exclude SSR.
UK post-conflict objectives and planning assumption

7. MrJack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, issued a Written Ministerial Statement setting
out the UKs strategic objectives for Iraq on 7 January 2003.1 The objectives included
adefinition of the UKs desired end state for a post-Saddam Iraq:
We would like Iraq to become a stable, united and law abiding state, within
its present borders, co-operating with the international community, no longer
posing a threat to its neighbours or to international security, abiding by all its
international obligations and providing effective and representative government to
its own people.
8. The development of the UKs objectives for post-conflict Iraq is addressed in detail
inSections 6.4 and 6.5.
9. The Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People issued by MrBlair, President Bush and
MrJos Mara Aznar, the Prime Minister of Spain, at the Azores Summit on 16 March,
included a number of specific commitments on post-conflict reconstruction.2 The three
leaders declared:
We will work to prevent and repair damage by Saddam Husseins regime to
the natural resources of Iraq and pledge to protect them as a national asset of
and for the Iraqi people. All Iraqis should share the wealth generated by their
national economy
In achieving this vision, we plan to work in close partnership with international
institutions, including the United Nations If conflict occurs, we plan to seek the
adoption, on an urgent basis, of new United Nations Security Council resolutions
that would affirm Iraqs territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian
relief, and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq. We will also
propose that the Secretary-General be given authority, on an interim basis, to ensure
that the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people continue to be met through the
Oilfor-Food program.
1
2
House of Commons, Official Report, 7 January 2003, column 4WS.

Statement of the Atlantic Summit, 16 March 2003, A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People.
Any military presence, should it be necessary, will be temporary and intended to

promote security and elimination of weapons of mass destruction; the delivery of
humanitarian aid; and the conditions for the reconstruction of Iraq. Our commitment
to support the people of Iraq will be for the long term.
10. On 25 March, MrDesmond Bowen, Deputy Head of the Cabinet Office Overseas
and Defence Secretariat (OD Sec), sent a draft paper to senior officials in the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department
for International Development (DFID) setting out British Post-Conflict Objectives.3
11. The draft included MrStraws formulation of 7 January, adding:
Our objective is to create conditions for a future Iraqi government which will act to
make this aspiration a reality. We will work with the Iraqi people, the UN and other
international organisations, and the wider international community to this end.
12. The draft stated:
British forces will continue to contribute, for no longer than is necessary at a
sustainable level, to the US-led Coalition military presence in the interests of
promoting a secure environment in Iraq
We have made plans with our international partners to assist the Iraqi people
intheprocess of transition. With others, we will assist in the return to full Iraqi
sovereignty
With others, we will help revive the Iraqi economy and assist reform by:
working with the UN to manage Iraqs oil revenues in order to achieve

themaximum benefit for the Iraqi people in an accountable and
transparentmanner;
supporting an international programme for the reconstruction and repair
of Iraqsinfrastructure ;
fostering economic reform ;
agreeing a comprehensive financial framework of transitional support
forIraq;
helping reform Iraqs public administration ;
supporting the observance of human rights, and legal and judicial reform ;
helping Iraq generate reformed and accountable security forces acting in
accordance with international human rights standards.
13. There is no indication that the objectives were ever adopted formally.
Letter Bowen to Chaplin, 25 March 2003, Iraq: Post Conflict Objectives attaching Paper [draft],
25 March 2003, Iraq: British Post-Conflict Objectives.
3
14. The transition from conflict (Phase III) to post-conflict (Phase IV) military operations
in Iraq started as soon as Coalition troops began to occupy Iraqi territory.
15. Section 6.5 concludes that, when that transition began:
The Government had not taken firm decisions on the nature or duration of the
UKs military commitment in post-conflict Iraq or on the extent of the UK Area
ofResponsibility (AOR).
There had been no systematic analysis of the UKs military or civilian capacity
tofulfil its likely obligations in the South in a range of circumstances, including:
{{ in
the prolonged absence of an authorising Security Council resolution;
{{ in
the absence of additional Coalition partners;
{{ in
a hostile security environment with low levels of Iraqi consent; and
{{ over
different timescales, in particular the medium and long term.
16. Ministers, officials and the military continued to assume that:
there would be early agreement on a post-conflict resolution;

levels of consent would rise steadily across most of Iraq; and
despite the scale of the undertaking, the international community would
succeed in realising the Azores vision for Iraqs social, political and economic
transformation of Iraq.
17. Above all, despite UK concerns that the US had not prepared a satisfactory plan
for post-conflict Iraq and that ORHA, the body responsible for immediate post-conflict
administration and reconstruction, was not up to the task, it was assumed that the US
could act as guarantor of the UKs objectives in Iraq.
Definition and use of Area of Operations (AO) and Area of

Responsibility (AOR)
Area of Operations (AO) refers to the UK militarys area of combat operations during the
invasion of Iraq (Phase III of operations). It is the term applied during conflict and, in terms
of time, space and force, is the area in which lethal force can be applied for a designated
period of time.
Area of Responsibility (AOR) is usually applied in peace support operations. In Iraq, it
refers to the area of southern Iraq for which the UK military was responsible during the
post-conflict Occupation of Iraq (Phase IV of operations).
The two terms were not used consistently within government and were sometimes applied
interchangeably in the same document.
Humanitarian assistance
18. Section 6.5 addresses the UKs pre-invasion preparations, led by DFID and the
military, for the provision of humanitarian assistance during and in the immediate
aftermath of conflict.
19. Ms Clare Short, the International Development Secretary, described DFIDs
humanitarian contingency plan in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on
13 March 2003.4
20. In the Statement, Ms Short stated that DFID would have two roles in the event
ofconflict:
to help advise UK Armed Forces on their obligations under the Hague and
Geneva Conventions; and
to use the funds, expertise and influence available to it to support delivery
ofhumanitarian assistance by the international community.
21. Ms Short advised that DFID was deploying staff to key locations in the region, had
brought DFIDs stockpile of non-food items, vehicles and equipment to immediate
readiness, was procuring additional supplies, and was positioning some of its stocks
inKuwait and elsewhere in the region.
22. On 17 March, at Ms Shorts request, DFIDs Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs
Department (CHAD) prepared a paper on shortcomings in humanitarian preparations
and steps needed to address them.5
23. Officials identified seven problems:
UN funding needs insufficiently met. Preparedness incomplete
US preparedness for response lacks local experience and based on optimistic

assumptions
Red Cross Movement preparing but requires substantial funding support

NGOs [Non-Governmental Organisations] beginning to establish presence but
not fully prepared
How to maintain the Oil-for-Food (OFF) programme

How to support humanitarian agencies [to] gain early access to Iraq
How Coalition Forces can provide effective humanitarian response
House of Commons, Official Report, 13 March 2003, column 21WS.

Minute DFID [junior official] to Private Secretary/Secretary of State [DFID], 17 March 2003, Iraq:
Humanitarian Assistance attaching Paper, [undated], Iraq: What is lacking in terms of being prepared for
an effective humanitarian response and what would it take to address that?.
4
5
24. The proposed solution for the first three problems was to provide immediate
additional funds to DFID. The proposed solution for the fourth was continued liaison
between DFID, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and ORHA.
25. Ms Short sent the paper to MrBlair with the comment: This summarises what
needs to be done to improve humanitarian preparedness. Perhaps we could really focus
on this next week.6
26. A No.10 official advised MrBlair that the main problems identified by DFID were:
underfunding of humanitarian agencies;
the need for Coalition Forces to provide humanitarian assistance until there was
a permissive security environment; and
agencies not ready to respond effectively and lacking experience outside

northern Iraq;
the risk that the OFF programme might break down.7
27. DFIDs proposed solutions included:
increased funding for DFID and the MOD;

rapidly securing a permissive security environment; and
a resolution transferring management of the OFF programme to the UN
Secretary-General.
28. The official advised that DFIDs analysis was probably about right. The MOD had
been pressing DFID to help for some weeks, so it was useful that DFID now recognised
the need to help. DFID was seconding two people to work with the US and the Cabinet
Office was working to broker a deal on additional funding with the Treasury. The funding
made available to the MOD to provide humanitarian assistance in the UKs AOR is
described in Section 13.1.
29. The military role in providing humanitarian assistance was summarised in a joint
minute from MrStraw and MrGeoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, to MrBlairon
19March.8 The letter is described in more detail in Section 6.5. MrStraw and
MrHoonadvised:
The military task will be to facilitate a secure environment to enable immediate
humanitarian relief to be conducted. To help UK forces win hearts and minds, HMT
[the Treasury] have allocated them 30m for humanitarian purposes in the first
month as well as 10m for quick win projects. (Clare [Short] has allocated 20m for
Manuscript comment Short on Minute DFID [junior official] to Private Secretary/Secretary of State [DFID],
17 March 2003, Iraq: Humanitarian Assistance.
7
Minute No.10 [junior official] to Prime Minister, 17 March 2003, Iraq: Humanitarian Assistance: DFID
Views.
8
Minute Straw and Hoon to Prime Minister, 19 March 2003, Iraq: UK Military Contribution to Post-Conflict
Iraq.
6
UN agencies preparations and earmarked another 60m from DFIDs contingency

reserve for humanitarian operations. But this is a drop in the ocean; in the worse
case, if the Oil-for-Food programme ground to a halt, Iraq could need as much as
abillion dollars a month for humanitarian aid).
Extending the Oil-for-Food programme

Before the 2003 invasion, the UN Oil-for-Food (OFF) programme was the principal
mechanism for Iraqi procurement of humanitarian goods.
The OFF programme was established by resolution 986 in April 1995. Implementation
began in May 1996 after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
UNand the Iraqi Government.9 The programme allowed for:
the export of Iraqi oil;

the deposit of oil revenues into a UN-controlled account; and
the use of those revenues to procure food, medicine and other goods approved by
the UN.
Section 6.5 describes how, in January 2003, the UK began discussions with the US on
adapting the OFF programme to the circumstances of post-conflict Iraq.
The UK approach was set out in background papers for the Azores Summit, sent to
No.10by the FCO on 15 March:
If the Iraqi regime falls, new arrangements will need to be put in place to enable the
OFF [programme] to keep functioning. Our current plan is to table a resolution soon
after conflict starts We are seeking to amend some of the procedures to speed up
the process for humanitarian goods 10
Resolution 1472, adopted unanimously on 28 March, transferred authority for
administering the OFF programme, including authority to purchase medical supplies and
Iraqi goods and services, to the UN Secretary-General for a period of 45 days, with the
possibility of further renewal by the Security Council.
30. Military operations against Iraq began on the night of 19/20 March. Military
operations during the invasion are described in Section 8.
31. Ms Short visited New York and Washington on 19 and 20 March for talks with the
UN, US, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).11
32. The British Embassy Washington reported that Ms Short had pressed the US
Administration hard on the need for an early resolution to enable the OFF programme
Office of the Iraq Programme, About the programme: Oil-for-Food.

Letter Owen to Rycroft, 15 March 2003, Azores Summit attaching Briefing FCO, Iraq Oil for Food
Programme (OFF) and Sanctions.
11
Telegram 501 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 21 March 2003, Iraq Humanitarian/Reconstruction:
Clare Shorts Visit to New York.
9
10
to continue, on the grounds that any significant break in food distribution under the OFF
programme could lead to humanitarian catastrophe.12
33. Ms Short wrote to MrPaul Boateng, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, on
21 March to request 120m from the Reserve for humanitarian assistance in Iraq.13
That amount would cover an initial contribution to the anticipated UN appeal, support
the Red Cross and NGOs, and fund DFIDs bilateral contribution. Ms Short stated
that her bid did not include any funds for reconstruction; those costs would need to
beconsidered in the longer term.
34. On the same day, DFID produced its first internal update on the humanitarian
situation in Iraq and neighbouring countries.14 Officials reported that DFID had deployed
seven humanitarian and civil/military advisers:
two to Kuwait City;

two to join 1st (UK) Armoured Division (1 (UK) Div) in Kuwait;
one to join ORHA in Kuwait; and
one each to Amman and Tehran.
35. By the early hours of 23 March, 3 Commando Brigade had taken control of Umm
Qasr, Iraqs principal port.15
36. DFIDs internal update for 24 March reported that the two DFID advisers seconded
to 1 (UK) Div were being included in all briefings, and that humanitarian assistance and
civil-military issues were moving up the militarys agenda.16
37. The inter-departmental Iraq Planning Unit (IPU)17 sent a paper on UK humanitarian
planning to MrStraws Private Office on 24 March.18 The IPU advised that the major
humanitarian agencies might begin operations in Iraq within 30 days, as the situation
became secure. Until then, the main humanitarian providers would be the military, the
Red Cross, and local staff working for the UN and NGOs. There was some capability to
respond to low intensity humanitarian needs, but:
this will prove to be inadequate in the event of a protracted conflict (particularly
around Baghdad or the North), significant damage to infrastructure and/or largescale movements of people. The threat/use of CBW [chemical and biological
weapons] could trigger a humanitarian disaster MOD and DFID are urgently
Telegram 370 Washington to FCO London, 21 March 2003, Iraq: Ms Shorts Visit.
Letter Short to Boateng, 21 March 2003, Iraq Humanitarian Funding: Reserve Claim.
14
Report DFID, 21 March 2003, Iraq Humanitarian Situation Update: No 1 (internal).
15
Report MOD, 23 March 2003, Iraq: Update for the Number 10 Sitrep, 0600Z 23 March 2003.
16
17
The IPU was established in February 2003 to develop policy on issues relating to the administration
of Iraq. The creation of the IPU is addressed in detail in Section 6.5.
18
Minute IPU [junior official] to FCO [junior official], 24 March 2003, HMG Humanitarian Planning
attaching Paper IPU, [undated], HMG Humanitarian Planning.
12
13
10
assessing the scope to provide emergency medical provision and public information
in this scenario.
38. That assessment was repeated in an FCO paper on Phase IV (post-conflict)
issues sent to MrBlair by MrStraw on 25 March, in advance of MrBlairs meeting with
President Bush at Camp David.19
39. It was also repeated in a DFID paper on humanitarian assistance during and
immediately after the conflict sent to No.10 on 25 March.20
40. The DFID paper identified steps to address the capability gap, including:
Securing and maintaining a permissive environment as soon as possible.
Addressing urgently the risks posed to Iraqi civilians by CBW and assessing the
scope for UK support in the event of a CBW attack.
Addressing funding and constraints for humanitarian agencies. DFID and the
Treasury should conclude discussions on overall humanitarian funding.
Standing ready to protect and restore power and water supplies to prevent
ahealth-based disaster.
41. Between 18 March and 22 April, COBR, the UK Governments crisis management
and co-ordination facility, sent twice-daily updates on key events relating to Iraq to senior
officials and departments.21
42. The 25 March COBR round-up of key events in Iraq reported some concern about
the humanitarian situation in Basra where water and electricity supplies have been
disrupted since Friday [21 March].22
43. The MOD informed No.10 on 25 March that the Royal Engineers had started work
on a water pipeline from Kuwait into Iraq, in order to restore supplies of drinking water
to Basra.23
44. Ms Short told the 27 March Ad Hoc Meeting24 that the humanitarian situation in
Basra was improving because of the efforts of the International Committee of the Red
Minute Straw to Blair, 25 March 2003, Camp David: Post-Iraq Policies attaching Paper FCO,
25 March 2003, Iraq: Phase IV Issues.
20
Letter Bewes to Rycroft, 25 March 2003, Iraq: humanitarian assistance during and immediately after
the conflict attaching Paper DFID, 25 March 2003, Iraq: humanitarian assistance during and immediately
after the conflict.
21
Minute Cabinet Office [junior official] to Manning, Iraq: COBR Round Up of Key Events 18 March;
Minute Cabinet Office [junior official] to Manning, Iraq: COBR Round Up of Key Events 22 April.
22
Minute Cabinet Office [junior official] to Manning, 25 March 2003, Iraq: COBR Round Up of Key
Events 25 March.
23
Letter Watkins to Rycroft, 25 March 2003, Iraq: Military Campaign.
24
The Ad Hoc Meeting (also known as the War Cabinet) took place daily from 19 March to 12 April, with
the exception of Sundays 30 March and 6 April, and was chaired by MrBlair.
19
11
Cross (ICRC).25 Damage to the high voltage electricity supply by the Coalition had
affected the water system. There were lessons to be learned.
45. Cabinet discussed the humanitarian situation later on 27 March.26 Ms Short said
that Iraq had been in a frail humanitarian state before the conflict. The big risks now
were inadequate water supplies and failed sanitation systems. The military would have
responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance once the shooting stopped.
46. A USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) crossed into Iraq for the
first time on 27 March, visiting Umm Qasr to assess the humanitarian situation and the
condition of the port, which was a major supply centre for the OFF programme.27 The
team reported that there were no major signs of humanitarian crisis, and that the port
was in poor but working condition.
47. Also on 27 March, MrBoateng agreed Ms Shorts request for 120m from the
Reserve.28 Section 13.1 considers in more detail the resources that the Government
made available for humanitarian assistance (and reconstruction).
48. The UN launched a Flash Appeal for Iraq on 28 March, requesting US$2.22bn
toprovide six months food and non-food aid for Iraq.29
49. DFID committed 65m to support the Appeal.30
50. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel Sir Galahad docked at Umm Qasr on
28 March and finished offloading its cargo of 200 tonnes of water, food and humanitarian
stores the following day.31 It was the first shipment of humanitarian assistance into Umm
Qasr since the start of the invasion.
51. The Kuwait-Umm Qasr pipeline became operational on 30 March.32 The pipeline
filled three 24,000-litre tankers every 45 minutes.33
52. DFIDs internal update for 31 March reported that international ICRC staff had
gained access to Basra from Kuwait; the first international staff from a humanitarian
agency to do so since the beginning of military operations.34
Minutes, 27 March 2003, Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq.

Cabinet Conclusions, 27 March 2003.
27
Bowen SW Jr. Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience. U.S. Government Printing
Office, 2009.
28
Letter Boateng to Short, 27 March 2003, Iraq Humanitarian Funding: Reserve Claim.
29
United Nations, 28 March 2003, Transcript of Press Conference by Deputy Secretary-General Louise
Frchette at United Nations Headquarters, 28 March 2003.
30
Report DFID, 1 April 2003, Iraq Humanitarian Situation Update No.8 (Internal).
31
Report MOD, 29 March 2003, Iraq: Update for the Number 10 Sitrep as at 1630Z 29 March
2003; The Guardian, 28 March 2003, Aid being delivered by Sir Galahad; Daily Mail, 28 March 2003,
SirGalahad docks with aid shipment.
32
Report MOD, 30 March 2003, Iraq: Update for the Number 10 Sitrep as at 0730 30 March 2003.
33
Report DFID, 3 April 2003, Iraq Humanitarian Situation Update: No 10 (internal).
34
25
26
12
53. The first ORHA personnel entered Iraq on 1 April, visiting Umm Qasr.35
HardLessons, MrStuart Bowens account as US Inspector General for Iraq
Reconstruction of the US experience of reconstruction between 2002 and 2008,
recorded that the situation had deteriorated rapidly since the visit of the USAID DART
team because of heavy looting.
54. The MOD reported on 2 April that the UN had declared Umm Qasr a permissive
environment, opening the way for UN agencies and NGOs to start work in the town.36
55. MrHoon raised humanitarian issues with MrDonald Rumsfeld, US Secretary
of Defense, on 3 April.37 MrHoon proposed that ORHA (the majority of whose staff
were still based in Kuwait), should focus on its humanitarian role as soon as it deployed
to Iraq.
56. A second USAID DART team visited Umm Qasr on 4 April and reported that
anything not nailed down had gone.38
57. The MOD reported on 4 April that the Red Cross and the Red Crescent were
theonly humanitarian agencies working alongside the UK military.39 Water and power
provision in Basra were back at pre-war levels.
58. On 6 April, the Cabinet Office informed No.10 that the ICRC and UK military
assessed that improving the water supply remained a priority for Umm Qasr and Basra,
but the situation was not a humanitarian crisis.40
59. RFA Sir Percivale docked at Umm Qasr on 7 April to deliver 300 tonnes of MOD
humanitarian supplies.41
60. MrHoon informed Parliament on 7 April that UK forces had deployed in force
into Basra.42
61. The COBR evening round-up later that day reported that while no area in Basra was
safe enough to call in humanitarian assistance, power and food were available to the
majority of the population and the slight shortages of water were not significant.43
Office, 2009.
36
Report MOD, 2 April 2003, Iraq: Update for the Number 10 Sitrep as at 1600 2 April 2003.
37
Minute Watkins to DG Op Pol, 3 April 2003, Iraq: Conversation with Rumsfeld: 3 April 2003.
38
Office, 2009.
39
Report MOD, 4 April 2003, Iraq: Update for the Number 10 Sitrep as at 0600 4 April 2003.
40
Minute Drummond to Manning, 6 April 2003, Iraq: Update Noon Sunday 6 April.
41
Report Cabinet Office, 7 April 2003, Iraq: Evening Round Up 7 April.
42
House of Commons, Official Report, 7 April 2003, column 21.
43
Report MOD, 7 April 2003, Annex to Evening Sitrep 8 April 2003: Military.
35
13
62. Ms Short informed Parliament on 10 April that food supplies were not currently
a major problem in most of Iraq and there were not the large numbers of internally
displaced people that had been feared.44
63. In the past few days, there had been reports of an increasingly serious humanitarian
situation in Baghdad; the ICRC had reported violent looting and warned of a
breakdown in law and order there.
64. Ms Short continued that with 16m Iraqi citizens dependent on the OFF programme
and most families at least partially dependent on it, it was critical to get the OFF
programme and its distribution network working again as quickly as possible.
65. Ms Short told the 11 April Ad Hoc Meeting that the ICRC and UN agencies were
concerned about lawlessness in Baghdad and elsewhere.45 Hospitals in particular
needed to be secured. The systems in place for the distribution of food and the
restoration of the water supply were disabled by the lack of security.
66. MrBlair concluded the meeting by saying that the security situation in the cities had
to be stabilised, particularly for hospitals. Although a violent release of anger in response
to the fall of the regime was inevitable, the humanitarian situation had to be improved.
The three basics were food, water and healthcare; DFID should provide advice on both
the current situation and the strategy for the future.
67. DFID sent a paper to No.10 later on 11 April, advising that:
44
45
The Iraqi health system was functioning, but was under severe strain in
Baghdad and other towns that had suffered heavy casualties. There were
localised shortages of medical supplies.
Water, sanitation and power systems were fragile. UK forces, the ICRC and the
United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) were working together to reinstate
services in the South; services in Baghdad were under severe strain.
Food supply remained a concern: stocks distributed before the conflict under
theOFF programme were expected to last until the end of April.
Population movements had so far been limited and managed adequately by
thelocal authorities.
Key concerns were the breakdown in law and order and the future of
the OFFprogramme beyond 12 May, when the authority provided under
resolution1472 expired.
In the South, the UK military, drawing on the 30m allocated to them to provide
humanitarian assistance, had been distributing food, water and medical
supplies. Looting and disorder in Basra had been halted, and work was under
way to restore key elements of local public administration.

Minutes, 11 April 2003, Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq.
14
DFID maintained daily contact with the ICRC and UN agencies, but almost all
other interventions, including deployment of DFID humanitarian advisers into
Iraq, were awaiting an improvement in security. The ICRC was the only agency
to have been in Iraq throughout the conflict: UN agencies and NGOs were
awaiting their own security assessments before deploying widely. ORHA,
which had a very limited capability to deliver humanitarian assistance, was
similarly constrained.46
68. The Cabinet Office round-up of events on 11 April reported that the ICRC
was profoundly alarmed by the chaos currently prevailing in Baghdad and other parts
of Iraq.47
69. Sir David Manning, MrBlairs Foreign Policy Adviser, passed the Cabinet Offices
report to MrBlair, highlighting the ICRCs concern.48
Publicising humanitarian assistance

The Government sought to generate positive publicity for the Coalitions humanitarian
assistance.
MrHoon proposed to Secretary Rumsfeld on 3 April that the Coalition needed to highlight
its humanitarian work for as long as it remained engaged in a propaganda war with the
Iraqi regime.49
Sir David Manning discussed establishing a medical air bridge to Baghdad with MrHoon
and, separately, with Dr Condoleezza Rice, US National Security Advisor, on 12 April.50
Sir David reported that he had suggested to Dr Rice that we should bring planes into
Baghdad packed with medical equipment and specialist medical teams.51 The initiative
would have an immediate impact on local hospitals and on Iraqi and international public
opinion. The flights should be undertaken with much fanfare, and for the cameras.
In practice, the initiative might not amount to much more than giving a much higher profile
to what was already happening.
Sir David suggested to MrSimon McDonald, MrStraws Principal Private Secretary, that,
if the idea prospered, we should try to ensure that the UK is clearly associated with it.
We might send British equipment and personnel on the flights, and secure maximum
publicity for our contribution.
Later that day, MrPeter Watkins, MrHoons Principal Private Secretary, informed
Sir David that US and Australian aircraft loaded with medical supplies would land in
Letter Bewes to Rycroft, 11 April 2003, [untitled] attaching Paper DFID, 11 April 2003,
Iraq: Humanitarian Needs and Response.
47
Report Cabinet Office, 11 April 2003, Iraq: Evening Round Up 11 April.
48
Manuscript comment Manning to Prime Minister, 12 April 2003, on Report Cabinet Office, 11 April 2003,
Iraq: Evening Round Up 11 April.
49
Minute Watkins to DG Op Pol, 3 April 2003, Iraq: Conversation with Rumsfeld: 3 April 2003.
50
Manuscript comment Manning to Prime Minister, 12 April 2003, on Letter Watkins to Manning, 12 April
2003, Baghdad: Medical Support; Letter Manning to McDonald, 12 April 2003, Iraq: Conversation with
Condi Rice.
51
Letter Manning to McDonald, 12 April 2003, Iraq: Conversation with Condi Rice.
46
15
Baghdad on 12 April.52 Further flights were expected in the coming days and Coalition
commanders would try to ensure flights were highlighted to the media.
The Inquiry has seen no evidence of further discussion of the air bridge.
70. The Cabinet Office reported on 13 April that despite media reporting of widespread
looting and disruption, the humanitarian situation continued to show signs of
stabilisation.53 The ICRC had said that security remained the greatest concern in
Baghdad. Liaison between Coalition Forces and Iraqi technicians and managers on
restoring and maintaining utilities had begun.
71. In his conversation with President Bush on 14 April, MrBlair identified the need to
improve conditions in hospitals as the top humanitarian priority and the main focus of
media interest.54 Baghdad was still not a safe environment for humanitarian assistance.
72. By the middle of April, USAID and DFID were beginning to look beyond
humanitarian assistance to longer-term recovery and reconstruction.
73. MrSuma Chakrabarti, DFID Permanent Secretary, visited Washington on 14 April.55
74. The UK Delegation to the IMF and the International Bank of Reconstruction and
Development (UKDEL IMF/IBRD) reported that USAID officials had told MrChakrabarti
that, in the absence of the expected refugee crisis, USAID would be able to divert some
resources from humanitarian assistance to reconstruction.
75. UKDEL IMF/IBRD also reported that: US reconstruction plans are comprehensive,
and well advanced.
76. A DFID team visited Kuwait from 14 to 16 April and reported on 22 April:
Broadly, the humanitarian crisis that was feared in Iraq has not materialised.
The need for acute relief operations has been limited. In the South, localised needs
are being addressed by the military and International Committee of the Red Cross.
As soon as security permits, UN agencies and NGOs are ready to begin operations
on the ground this is already happening in South and North Iraq. In Baghdad and
other central towns, the humanitarian situation is more difficult.
However, there is an urgent need for recovery. Key issues here include restoring
law and order; restoring water, fuel and power supplies; re-opening schools, medical
facilities and other public services; restoring the underlying public administration
including payment of salaries
Letter Watkins to Manning, 12 April 2003, Baghdad: Medical Support.

Paper Cabinet Office, 13 April 2003, Iraq: Afternoon Round-Up, 13 April.
54
Letter Cannon to McDonald, 14 April 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Conversation with Bush, 14 April.
55
Telegram 33 UKDel IMF/IBRD to FCO London, 14 April 2003, Iraq: Post-Conflict US Government
Thinking, IFI and UNDP Preparations.
52
53
16
The UK military in the South are heavily focused on recovery issues

Alongside recovery, there is an urgent need to begin planning for the reconstruction
and reform process. A UN mandate will be required before the IFIs [International
Financial Institutions] and other donors are able to fully support implementation.56
77. Copies of the report were sent to No.10, the Cabinet Office, the FCO, the MOD, the
Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Attorney Generals Office.
78. The UKs AO in the South was declared permissive by UK forces on 22 April.57
79. On 24 April, the UK military sought MrHoons approval for the first substantial
withdrawal of ground troops from Iraq with effect from Sunday 27 April.58
80. The Annotated Agenda for the 15 May meeting for the Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on
Iraq Rehabilitation (AHMGIR) stated that, of the 30m available to the UK military for
humanitarian relief operations in the UKs AO, only 3m had been committed and 1m
spent.59 The remainder could be used for other purposes.
81. The UN launched its revised humanitarian appeal for Iraq on 23 June.60 The UN
reported that almost US$2bn of the US$2.22bn requested in its 28 March Flash Appeal
had been made available to UN agencies; the revised appeal covered the remaining
US$259m.61 Of the US$2bn, US$1.1bn had been made available from the OFF
programme and US$870m had been pledged by donors. The largest donors were:
the US (providing US$483m, some 56 percent of total donor contributions);

the UK (US$108m, 12 percent); and
Japan (US$87m, 10 percent).
82. At the launch, Ms Louise Frchette, UN Deputy Secretary-General, reported that

amajor humanitarian crisis had been avoided.62 UN pre-planning had led to the prompt
restoration of the OFF food distribution system, and some of the more dire planning
assumptions, such as large-scale population movements, had not occurred.
Letter DFID [junior official] to Rycroft, 22 April 2003, Iraq: Engagement with ORHA attaching Paper
DFID, 22 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA Visit Report.
57
Report MOD, 23 April 2003, Iraq: Update for the Number 10 Sitrep As at 0630 on 23 April 2003.
58
Minute Wallace to PS/Secretary of State [MOD], 24 April 2003, Op TELIC: Realignment of UK Forces.
59
Annotated Agenda, 15 May 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
60
United Nations, Press Release, 23 June 2003, United Nations Agencies Appeal for US$259 Million in
Emergency Assistance for Iraq.
61
United Nations, June 2003, Humanitarian Appeal for Iraq: Revised Inter-Agency Appeal 1 April
31 December 2003.
62
Telegram 1006 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 24 June 2003, Iraq: Launch of the Revised UN
Humanitarian Appeal, 23 June.
56
17
83. DFID pledged a further 35m towards the UN appeal, bringing DFIDs total
contribution to 100m.63
84. The Inquiry has not seen any assessment by the UK Government of the
effectiveness of the UKs humanitarian assistance effort in the UKs AO/AOR.
85. Ms Short told the Inquiry that the efforts of the UN agencies and the Red Cross
inparticular had prevented a humanitarian crisis in Iraq:
the humanitarian thing worked because a lot of work was done by a lot of people
and we played our part in that.64
Coalition-building
86. Between March and May 2003, the UK sought international partners to share the
civilian and military burden in post-conflict Iraq.
87. Section 6.5 describes concerns expressed by UK civilian and military planners
before the invasion that, in the absence of UN authorisation for Phase IV, it would prove
difficult to attract international partners to share the post-conflict burden.
88. On 21 March, MrIan Lee, MOD Director General Operational Policy (DG Op Pol),
sent a Coalition Engagement Strategy for Phase IV to the Chiefs of Staff.65 MrLee
advised: We need to pursue this approach as a matter of urgency, since Phase IV may
be almost upon us.
89. The Engagement Strategy recommended that the UK inform the US of the UKs
need for partners to fill Phase IV military and non-military capability gaps. Officials would
then start bilateral discussions with potential partners, leading to a possible multilateral
meeting when we judge that nations feel comfortable with being openly identified.
90. MrLee advised MrHoon on 26 March that initial discussions with some countries
were under way, but could not be concluded without:
more clarity on the overall Phase IV framework and the legalities of our
position in the absence of a UNSCR [T]hese high-level issues will, we hope, be
clarified in forthcoming contact at Prime Minister/President level [at Camp David].66
International Development Committee, Session 2002-2003, Examination of Witnesses (Questions

49-59), 30 June 2003.
64
Public hearing, 2 February 2010, page 13.
65
Minute Lee to COSSEC, 21 March 2003, Coalition Engagement Strategy for Phase IV, attaching
Paper, [undated], Coalition Engagement Strategy for Phase IV.
66
Minute Lee to PS/Secretary of State [MOD], 26 March 2003, Coalition-Building for Phase IV.
63
18
91. On 27 March, the British Embassy Washington reported that the US had invited
representatives of around 47 Embassies to attend an inter-agency briefing intended
togenerate military and civilian contributions to Phase IV.67 The Embassy commented:
Given that we have been thinking ourselves about an exercise to generate support
for the UK sector in Phase IV, we will need to make sure that we deconflict this from
the US effort.
92. The Embassy also commented that this was separate from the US initiative
to convene a small core group of countries to manage Iraqs humanitarian and
reconstruction needs. The UK, Spain, Australia, Japan and possibly a Gulf State
would be approached to participate in the group.
93. MrPeter Watkins, MrHoons Principal Private Secretary, advised MrLee on
28 March that MrHoon agreed that given the likely scale of the Phase IV task, there
are good practical as well as political reasons to engage early with potential partners
and that MrHoon had, after discussion with Sir Kevin Tebbit, MOD Permanent Under
Secretary (PUS), written to the Defence Ministers of the most willing countries.68
94. On the same day, MrHoon informed the Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq that he had written
to selected Defence Ministers asking them to consider a military contribution to the
postconflict phase.69
95. On 1 April, the Cabinet Office reported that, during the core groups first conference
call, the UK, Spain, Australia and Japan had suggested that reconstruction must go
through the UN, with an early new UNSCR [resolution] and the IFIs engaged.70
96. On 10 April, the FCO issued instructions to overseas posts to seek military
contributions from host governments to support Phase IV in the UK sector of Iraq.71
TheFCO stated that the UK hoped to be able to reduce its military deployment by
twothirds during Phase IV, but advised posts to:
base your approaches on the need for widespread international support for
consolidating security and stability and getting Iraq back on its feet, which should be
a more powerful argument for potential contributors than offsetting the effects of a
UK drawdown.
We intend to continue to provide a discrete self-supporting military capability in
the UK area of operation, allowing maximum flexibility to cope with whatever role
we assume in Phase IV. From about September [w]e will be able to provide the
Telegram 397 Washington to FCO London, 27 March 2003, Iraq: Phase IV: US Coalition Building.
Minute Watkins to DG Op Pol, 28 March 2003, Iraq: Coalition-building for Phase IV.
69
70
Report Cabinet Office, 1 April 2003, Iraq: Evening Round-Up 1 April.
71
Telegram 33 FCO London to Rome, 10 April 2003, Phase IV Military Contributions: Lobbying
Instructions.
67
68
19
headquarters and one of the three brigades, and we would like to make up the
remaining two brigades through contributions from other nations.
97. The FCO instructions were sent to UK Defence Attachs along with detailed MOD
instructions on the specific contributions sought.
98. The same day, the US Embassy London expressed concern to the FCO that the
UKs lobbying campaign had not been co-ordinated with the US.72 Countries would be
offering the same assets to the US and UK.
99. On 11 April, MrPeter Gooderham, Political Counsellor at the British Embassy
Washington, reported that he had told the US that the UK had kept it informed at every
stage and could not be expected to wait around while they get their inter-agency act
together.73 MrGooderham had declined a US request to abort the lobbying telegram.
100. Later that day, MrGooderham reported that while there was still consternation
inthe US State Department, he had managed to calm the situation.74
101. MrWatkins informed No.10 on 23 April that there were encouraging signs
of interest from potential Coalition partners, including Italy, which had secured
parliamentary approval for deployment of a brigade headquarters, one battalion,
400500 Carabinieri and a number of specialist capabilities.75
102. Taken together, offers of contributions provided a promising basis for a UK-led
multilateral division and might produce some surplus capability. Multilateral meetings
were scheduled on 30 April and 8 May to take things forward.
103. In parallel, senior FCO officials sought to engage the European Union (EU) and
EUMember States on post-conflict issues.
104. The Presidency Conclusions of the European Council on 20 and 21 March
statedthat the EU was committed to being actively involved in addressing Iraqs
humanitarian needs and that it wanted effectively to contribute to the conditions
allowingall Iraqis to live in freedom, dignity and prosperity under a representative
government.76 The European Council invited the European Commission and High
Representative to explore the means by which the EU might help the Iraqi people
toachieve these objectives.
105. Sir Nigel Sheinwald, UK Permanent Representative to the EU, interpreted the
European Council Conclusions as evidence that the EU was shaping up theright
Email FCO [junior official] to FCO Emergency Unit, 10 April 2003, US Embassy Interest in Phase IV.
Email Gooderham to FCO Emergency Unit, 11 April 2003, US Embassy Interest in Phase IV.
74
Email FCO Emergency Unit [junior official] to Ehrman, 11 April 2003, Phase IV: Next Steps.
75
Letter Watkins to Cannon, 23 April 2003, Iraq: Phase IV Contributions and Coalition-building.
76
European Commission, Press Release, 21 March 2003, Brussels European Council 20 and 21 March
2003 Presidency Conclusions.
72
73
20
wayon humanitarian issues.77 Although reconstruction had not been explicitly

mentioned, the EU had undertaken to contribute to a post-Saddam Iraq, and had
directed the Commission and Council Secretariat to start planning for that. The UK
needed to build on this in order to start to heal EU divisions, and make progress on
post-conflict resolutions.
106. On 26 March, during the early stages of discussion in between the UK and US
delegations in New York on the text of what was to become resolution 1483 (see
Section 9.1), Sir Paul Lever, British Ambassador to Germany, raised concerns with
MrPeter Ricketts, FCO Political Director, about the UKs failure to engage EU allies
from the outset.78 Sir Paul recalled that MrBlair had stated in the House of Commons
on 18March, that, with the wisdom of hindsight, it would have been best if Europe had
adopted a common position on Iraq, including with respect to the use of force provided
the US acted through the UN and engaged seriously on Israel/Palestine. Sir Paul
commented that MrBlairs advice had not been followed on reconstruction:
I hope that you [MrRicketts] and others will, before we get inextricably locked in
to a common UK/US bilateral position on post-conflict Iraq, have the opportunity to
consider whether, after our experience over the last six months, this is really where
we want to be.
107. MrRicketts relayed those views, together with those of Sir John Holmes
(BritishAmbassador to France) and Sir Roderic Lyne (British Ambassador to the
Russian Federation), to MrSimon McDonald, MrStraws Principal Private Secretary.79
MrRicketts reported that a meeting of FCO officials earlier that day had agreed
thatitmade sense to engage with European countries at the formative stage of the
resolution, both because we needed their support to get it through the Security
Council,and because it was potentially an important part of re-establishing a good
working relationship.
108. On 27 March, Sir John Holmes added:
the bottom line is that we will need French (and German) support if a UN
resolution is to pass. We are more likely to get it if we share our thinking with
thematan early stage. They see the need, as we do, to save the Americans (or
at least the Pentagon) from too much of a military administration which could go
disastrously wrong 80
109. Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, confirmed
to MrRicketts that he was entirely alive to the opportunity of getting the Europeans and
Telegram 367 UKRep Brussels to FCO London, 25 March 2003, Iraq: Phase IV: EU Handling.
Letter Lever to Ricketts, 26 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction: How to Influence the Americans.
79
Minute Ricketts to Private Secretary [FCO], 26 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Resolution: Working
the Europeans.
80
Letter Holmes to Ricketts, 27 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction: Working the Europeans.
77
78
21
the [Security] Council to work together on Phase IV.81 The prospects of that had been
mildly enhanced by useful co-operation during negotiations on the resolution extending
the OFF programme. Sir Jeremy added:
The difficult calculation, of course, is how to take forward any thought of working
closely with the Europeans when we have to be joined at the hip to the Americans
as well.
we here in New York can in the end do no more than the Prime Minister
manages to win in terms of flexibility from the President in Washington.
110. MrBlair spoke to President Bush by video link on the afternoon of 4 April.82 MrBlair
commented that reports from discussions with European partners indicated that they
would like to find a way back. He thought that getting the right framework of principles
for Phase IV should help.
111. MrBlairs subsequent discussions with MrJacques Chirac, the French President,
and MrGerhard Schrder, the German Chancellor, are addressed in Section 9.1.
Post-conflict reconstruction and ORHA

112. Officials in the FCO, the MOD, DFID and the Cabinet Office continued to work on
plans for the reconstruction of post-conflict Iraq after the start of the invasion.
113. UK efforts to secure a resolution authorising the post-conflict administration and
reconstruction of Iraq are described in Section 9.1.
114. The UKs military contribution to the combat phase (Phase III) of the military
campaign in Iraq, the transition to post-conflict military operations (Phase IV) and the
establishment of the UK militarys Area of Responsibility (AOR) in southern Iraq are
described in Section 8.
Responsibility for reconstruction

115. Ms Short held a meeting with DFID officials on 26 March to discuss Iraq.83
Reflecting on recent progress to secure a resolution authorising the post-conflict
administration and reconstruction of Iraq, Ms Short stated: The important thing was for
the world to know that a resolution for a UN mandate was coming.
116. Officials reported a sense among departments that a resolution on reconstruction
might not be achieved. Ms Short stated that under the Geneva and Hague Conventions
no changes could be made to the [Iraqi] administration by the Occupying Powers,
except to keep systems working for civilians. The Attorney General had been clear
Letter Greenstock to Ricketts, 27 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction: Working the Europeans.
Letter No.10 [junior official] to Owen, 4 April 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Video Conference with
President Bush.
83
Minute Warren to Fernie, 26 March 2003, Iraq: Meeting with Secretary of State.
81
82
22
on that point at MrBlairs meeting that morning. Ms Short asked her Private Office to
request that the Attorney Generals advice be committed to paper.
117. Ms Short reported that the Prime Minister had given her responsibility for
reconstruction in Iraq. That role should be underpinned by a Cabinet Office Committee
chaired by MrChakrabarti. Ms Short added: This area was our lead in Whitehall and
we needed to ensure that this was recognised. MrChakrabarti said that he had already
spoken to Sir Andrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary.
118. Cabinet discussed Iraq on 27 March.84 Looking ahead, the Iraqi economy had
potential and the bureaucracy was competent. Iraq was not a failed state and should not
be a burden on the international community. MrHoon said that securing Iraqs essential
economic infrastructure had been achieved through seizing the southern oilfields almost
intact. The sooner the oil could flow again, the sooner the profits could be used for the
Iraqi people.
119. DFID produced its first substantive paper on post-conflict reconstruction at the end
of March.
120. On 27 March, MrAlistair Fernie, Head of DFIDs Middle East and North Africa
Department, sent a paper on reconstruction planning to Ms Short.85 MsShort had seen
an earlier draft on 20 March.
121. MrFernie advised that officials were:
now thinking how to take this [the paper] forward as part of a more
comprehensive DFID-led process across Whitehall, looking at the whole range of
international activities needed to help Iraq recover from conflict, sanctions and years
of misrule.
122. MrFernie advised that the paper had been revised to take account of Ms Shorts
comments on getting the multilateral system working to support Iraqi institutions, the
importance of sustainable debt and reparations strategy, and focusing on using and
developing Iraqi talent rather than bringing in too many international consultants.
123. Comments had been received from the FCO, Treasury and Cabinet Office,
centringon:
what the UK would do if there were no resolution authorising reconstruction;

MrFernie advised that, with the Attorney Generals advice now in writing,
weshould stick to our position that without an SCR the UK can only support
humanitarian relief and basic civil administration reform to ensure public
security; and
Cabinet Conclusions, 27 March 2003.

Minute Fernie to Private Secretary/Secretary of State [DFID], 27 March 2003, Iraq: Iraq Reconstruction
Planning attaching Paper DFID, 27 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Planning: Objectives and
Approach.
84
85
23
setting reconstruction planning within a wider post-conflict context.
124. Mr Fernie advised that the paper would be tabled at a Cabinet Office meeting the
next day, when:
We will discuss the process for the more comprehensive paper it will be useful
toshow to No.10 and the Cabinet Office that DFID is not only the natural lead on
this approach but also has the human resources and experience to dedicate to it.
125. Mr Fernie sent the paper to the Cabinet Office the following day, describing it
as a work-in-progress paper setting out some preliminary ideas on reconstruction
planning.86
126. Mr Fernie stated that the paper benefited from comments offered by FCO, MOD
and Cabinet Office officials at a meeting chaired by DFID, which had raised wider issues
about how reconstruction fitted with the UKs overall approach to rebuilding Iraq and
securing international consensus behind that approach. DFIDs view was that the UK
needed to start working now on a broader strategy which binds together the many bits
of work going on across Whitehall.
127. The paper stated that it was based on the assumption that an adequate
international mandate, agreed by the UN Security Council, will exist for the UK to play a
full role in reforming and restructuring Iraq and its administration.87 It also stated that it
was focused on DFIDs contribution to reconstruction, but had set that within a broader
context, which should be the subject of a further, more overarching UK Government
strategy paper.
128. While reconstruction planning needed to be informed by a long-term perspective of
a countrys needs, decisions were likely to be taken soon on new governance structures
and policies for Iraq, and the international community (in particular the IFIs, UN and US)
were already considering what kind of reconstruction support should be provided. ORHA
was likely to take decisions within a matter of days which would set the context for future
reconstruction planning.
129. The paper adopted the (broad) objectives defined in the version of the UKs Vision
for Iraq and the Iraqi People which had been produced for the 16 March Azores Summit.
130. DFIDs core focus in assisting Iraqs reconstruction would be:
the elimination of poverty, and in particular ensuring the Iraqi Governmentwas
able to address its peoples poor health indicators and other social problems.
Afteraninitial period of continuing dependence on humanitarian assistance, Iraqs
status as a middle-income country will make it more appropriate for DFID to support
Letter Fernie to Drummond, 28 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Planning, attaching Paper DFID,
27March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Planning: Objectives and Approach.
87
Paper DFID, 27 March 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Planning: Objectives and Approach.
86
24
technical assistance for the economic and institutional reforms which will underpin
the reconstruction process, and help the Iraqi Government to stimulate the private
sector growth, foreign investment and international lending which will enable them to
address poverty.
131. In pursuing those objectives, DFID would:
Work though multilateral channels. DFIDs overriding aim should be to ensure

that Iraq received comprehensive and prompt support from international
institutions and the wider international community. DFID would wherever
possible seek to channel the bulk of our financial contributions through
multilateral arrangements and complement this with targeted technical
assistance in areas where DFID has expertise.
Tackle dependence on humanitarian assistance. Emergency relief and
rehabilitation should blend with immediate reconstruction priorities.
Plan for a short-term engagement: given its potential wealth, we should
aimforIraq to be self-sufficient as quickly as possible, perhaps within three
years, though some continuing technical assistance may prove appropriate
beyond that.
132. The paper stated that experience in Afghanistan had shown that the international
community was slow to create tangible benefits on the ground which might demonstrate
the dividends of peace to communities during politically and culturally unstable
postconflict times. DFID had a justified reputation for relatively speedy response,
andwould consider whether its existing humanitarian programme in Iraq and the
additional emergency work it might fund after the conflict might provide a useful base to
support wider reform in the water/sanitation and health sectors, to ensure that tangible
benefits were provided to the Iraqi people relatively quickly.
133. The UK would find itself in a critically responsible role in Iraq, having been
involved from the start in the military campaign. As the main ally of the US, the UK
wouldbe in a unique position to influence its engagement.
134. The paper concluded:
Iraq is different to many developing countries which face shortages of well-educated
and technically competent people. Using Iraqs existing talent pool (including, with
some political caution, returning exiles) as far as possible, and ensuring its relatively
young population is educated to replace that pool, will be an essential investment
and reduce political tension.
135. Eight days after the start of the invasion, officials recommended the creation of a
Cabinet Committee to oversee the UK approach to reconstruction.
25
136. Sir Michael Jay, FCO Permanent Under Secretary (PUS), discussed the Whitehall
machinery for overseeing reconstruction with Sir Andrew Turnbull on 27 March.88
137. Sir Andrew Turnbull suggested a Cabinet Committee chaired by the Foreign
Secretary which would settle all the fundamental key questions about the reconstruction
of Iraq (e.g. what sort of political system), with sub-committees looking at specific
issues. He would ask Mr Bowen to come up with a proposal.
138. Sir Michael said that it was important that the Foreign Secretary was clearly in the
lead, that DFID reconstruction activity was restrained until the big picture decisions
had been taken, and that the IPU was included in the architecture.
139. Sir Michael Jay wrote to Mr Straw later that day, proposing improvements to
Whitehall co-ordination on reconstruction.89 Sir Michael repeated his concern, prompted
by a conversation with Mr Chakrabarti, that DFID was still hankering after the leadership
of the Iraq reconstruction agenda. Sir Michael had discussed this concern with Sir
Andrew Turnbull, who had agreed that it was right that the FCO should take the overall
Whitehall lead on reconstruction. The ideal structure would be:
a Cabinet Committee chaired by you [Mr Straw] to oversee the overall
reconstruction effort in Iraq;
a senior officials committee chaired by Desmond Bowen or David Manning,
which would feed into the Ministerial Group; and oversee the work of a series of
subgroups, each dealing with specific aspects of the reconstruction agenda
140. Sir Michael concluded:
It would obviously be helpful if you could secure the Prime Ministers endorsement
for our approach in advance. We cannot guarantee that Clare Short will accept it
without argument.
141. Later on 27 March, Mr Bowen sent Sir Andrew Turnbull a draft minute addressed
to Mr Blair, recommending the creation of an Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq
Reconstruction chaired by Mr Straw.90 Mr Bowen advised that he had opted for an ad
hoc group because it was inherently more flexible and less ponderous than a formal
sub-group of DOP [the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy].
142. Mr Jim Drummond, Assistant Head (Foreign Affairs) OD Sec, sent MrBowen some
first thoughts on the reconstruction agenda for the new Ministerial Group on 28March:
humanitarian assistance;
role of ORHA: competence and UK links with and involvement in;
Minute Warren, 27 March 2003, Sir Michael Jay Bilateral, 27 March.

Minute Jay to Secretary of State [FCO], 27 March 2003, Iraq: Reconstruction: Whitehall Co-ordination.
90
Minute Bowen to Turnbull, 27 March 2003, Iraq: Reconstruction attaching Minute [draft] Turnbull to
Prime Minister, [undated], Iraq Reconstruction.
88
89
26
wider UN role on reconstruction;
economy: Good contacts with US;
political process/fate of the Baath Party: Outline plan exists, not agreed
withUS;
reconstruction of infrastructure: Depends on damage. Beginning now.
Disagreements with US on role of Iraqis;
SSR: Ideas offered to US, but no plan;
public administration reform and service delivery: No plan yet?
commercial opportunities: Needs wider policy agreement with US;
legal issues: Some contact with US. No firm agreement. No plan;
disarmament: No agreement with US on extent of involvement of UN
inspectors; and
reintegrating Iraq into the international community.91
143. Sir Andrew Turnbull wrote to Sir Kevin Tebbit on 31 March, seeking his and, among
others, Sir David Mannings agreement on a slightly revised version of the draft minute
produced by MrBowen on 27 March.92 Sir Andrew advised that the revised draft had
already been agreed with Sir Michael Jay and MrChakrabarti.
144. The only change to MrBowens draft was the substitution of the word
rehabilitation for reconstruction in the name of the group.
145. Sir Andrew Turnbulls draft stated that as the UK moved towards the post-conflict
phase, it needed a coherent policy on an enormous range of issues, including the
role of the UN, Iraqi political process, rehabilitation and reform, economic and financial
issues (including debt and reparations), security sector reform and reducing our own
military role.
146. Sir Andrew Turnbull therefore proposed:
a new Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq Rehabilitation reporting to you [MrBlair].
The Foreign Secretary should chair Its terms of reference would be: to formulate
policy for the rehabilitation, reform and development of Iraq.
147. The new Ministerial Group would be supported by an officials group, led by the
Cabinet Office and including the Head of the IPU.
148. The Inquiry has not seen a final version of Sir Andrew Turnbulls minute.
Minute Drummond to Bowen, 28 March 2003, Iraq: Reconstruction Agenda.

Letter Turnbull to Tebbit, 31 March 2003, Iraq: Rehabilitation attaching Minute [draft] Turnbull to Prime
Minister, [undated], Iraq: Rehabilitation.
91
92
27
149. MrChakrabarti wrote to Sir Andrew Turnbull on 1 April, confirming that the new
groups proposed in Sir Andrews draft minute to MrBlair:
seem the best way to take forward the detailed implications of any SCRs
content, and what can be done before its passing The key will be to agree
very quickly on the work programme and to task those with the knowledge and
experience in the subject areas to take the lead while consulting others with an
interest in ensuring all the workstreams fit together into a coherent and affordable
strategy. We must draw on the lessons learnt from other post-conflict situations such
as Afghanistan, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone and Bosnia.
150. MrChakrabarti attached a short note setting out some thoughts on how such a
strategy might be developed and structured. He continued:
The Cabinet Office will pull all this together, but DFID is already working on issues
in our area of expertise under several of the workstreams listed. We are keen to
work more closely with HMT [the Treasury], MOD and FCO on areas such as debt
and reparations rescheduling, the use of oil revenues, security sector reform, and
the diplomatic and financial strategy for building consensus around what needs to
be done. Nicola Brewer will take the lead for DFID in the Cabinet Committee senior
officials group. I hope there will be increased cross-membership of the various
workstreams, and that we will use the interdepartmental machinery at our disposal
(eg the Global Conflict Prevention Pool for security sector reform) to ensure joined
up working.
In looking at our areas of expertise, we are consulting the [World] Bank and
[International Monetary] Fund, UN development agencies, the EC [European
Commission] and other key bilateral donors as well as the US Administration 93
151. Sir Andrew Turnbull informed MrStraw on 7 April that MrBlair had agreed a new
committee should be established to formulate policy for the rehabilitation, reform and
development of Iraq.94 MrStraw would chair; other members would be the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, the Defence Secretary, the International Development Secretary and the
Trade and Industry Secretary. The committee would be supported by a group of officials,
chaired by MrBowen.
152. MrStraw chaired the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq
Rehabilitation (AHMGIR) on 10 April.
UK concerns over participation in ORHA

153. Section 6.5 describes how, during March 2003, UK officials considered those
rules of international law on belligerent occupation relevant to reconstruction and their
implications for UK participation in ORHA.
93
94
Letter Chakrabarti to Turnbull, 1 April 2003, Iraq: Rehabilitation, Reform and Development.
Letter Turnbull to Straw, 7 April 2003, Iraq: Rehabilitation.
28
154. On 17 March, MrHuw Llewellyn, an FCO Legal Counsellor, advised the IPU on
thecompatibility of various post-conflict activities with the rules of military occupation.95
155. MrLlewellyn explained that Security Council authorisation was not required for
humanitarian assistance. The position was more complicated for rehabilitation and
reconstruction:
Rehabilitation
As I understand it, this means essential repair work, (for example to schools,
hospitals, government buildings, roads). It is closely connected with basic
humanitarian assistance.
Article 55 of the Hague Regulations requires the Occupying Power to safeguard
the capital of public buildings etc. Repair work would be consistent with that
obligation
Reconstruction
You list under this heading matters such as reform of the judiciary, security sector
and police reform, demobilisation, reform of government and its institutions, the
education system, and the banking system it might also include the building of
new roads and other structures to assist the regeneration of Iraq.
Construction of entirely new roads and buildings may in some circumstances
be permissible where this is necessary for the relief effort or, for example for
maintaining security or public order. As you know, the scope for action on the other
issues is limited. Any action going beyond these limits would require Security
Council authorisation.
156. MrLlewellyn offered further observations on 18 March, in which he emphasised
that sweeping institutional and personnel changes would not be permitted.96
157. On 26 March, Lord Goldsmith, the Attorney General, sent MrBlair advice
requested at the Ad Hoc Meeting the previous day.97 It covered:
the need for UN Security Council authorisation for the Coalition or the
international community to establish an interim Iraqi administration to reform and
restructure Iraq and its administration.
Minute Llewellyn to IPU [junior official], 17 March 2003, Potential Humanitarian and Reconstruction
Activities in Iraq.
96
Minute Llewellyn to IPU [junior official], 18 March 2003, Potential Humanitarian and Reconstruction
Activities in Iraq.
97
Minute Attorney General to Prime Minister, 26 March 2003, Iraq: Authorisation for an Interim
Administration.
95
29
158. Lord Goldsmiths view was that:

a further Security Council resolution is needed to authorise imposing reform
and restructuring of Iraq and its Government. In the absence of a further resolution,
the UK (and US) would be bound by the provisions of international law governing
belligerent Occupation the general principle is that an Occupying Power does not
become the government of the occupied territory. Rather, it exercises temporary de
facto control
159. The principles of international law as they applied to the UK and US as Occupying
Powers in Iraq before and after the adoption of resolution 1483 on 22 May 2003 are
summarised in the Box The legal framework for Occupation later in this Section.
160. Those principles are addressed in more detail in Section 9.1.
161. Section 9.1 also addresses UK efforts to agree with the US a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on a set of principles governing activity in post-conflict Iraq.
162. In advance of the meeting between MrBlair and President Bush at Camp David on
26 and 27 March, MrStraws Private Office sent MrMatthew Rycroft, MrBlairs Private
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, a negotiating brief for what was to become resolution 1483,
the resolution defining the roles of the UN and the Coalition in post-conflict Iraq.98
163. The negotiating brief, prepared by the IPU, described what was known
about what would happen during the first few weeks after the combat phase of the
military campaign:
Immediately after the conflict, the Coalition will be in control of Iraq.
As soon as it is safe to do so, [Lieutenant General (retired)] Jay Garner [the Head
of ORHA] and his Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA)
will arrive behind the military and become a transitional administration. Their aim will
be to work with the existing Iraqi public administration, so far as possible. Garner
will then take forward the reconstruction process. His people will be inserted into the
top of the Iraqi ministries, with senior US officials being assigned to each ministry as
shadow ministers
ORHA is understaffed and begun preparing for its task only a few weeks ago.
There are now some ten or so UK secondees embedded in it. Garner would like
to be out of Iraq within 90-120 days. Whether ORHA will be able to get any reform
programme started in that time is moot. This period is likely to be dominated by
humanitarian and security concerns.
Letter Owen to Rycroft, 25 March 2003, Prime Ministers Visit to Washington: Iraq: UN Security Council
Resolution on Phase IV attaching Paper Iraq Planning Unit, 25 March 2003, Iraq: Phase IV: Authorising
UNSCR.
98
30
164. ORHA and the Coalition might enjoy a brief honeymoon, but not if the Coalition
seemed set on administering Iraq for more than a brief period. It was therefore
necessary to put in place interim arrangements for post-conflict administration that would
be accepted by the Iraqi people and the Arab and Islamic world.
165. A resolution would be required to authorise those interim arrangements, and to
provide a legal basis for reconstruction and reform:
Without a UNSCR, other countries, international organisations, the IFIs, UN
agencies and NGOs will be comparatively limited in what they can do That would
leave US/UK with no viable exit strategy from Iraq and a huge bill.
166. The IPU negotiating brief stated that the task for Camp David was to build on five
areas where there was already agreement between the UK and US:
The Coalition, through ORHA, would be responsible for the administration of Iraq
for the first few weeks.
The UN should not be asked to run Iraq.
The objective should be Security Council authorisation or endorsement for an
international presence that would include the UN.
Coalition, not UN troops would provide security on the ground.
As soon as possible, Iraq should govern itself.
167. The IPU stated that differences between the UK and US positions remained
significant. The IPU explained that the US approach amounted to:
asking the UNSC to endorse Coalition military control over Iraqs transitional
administration, its representative institutions and its revenues until such time as a
fully-fledged Iraqi government is ready to take over. It would marginalise the role of
a UN Special Co-ordinator. These ideas are a non-starter for the Security Council,
would be denounced by the Iraqis and the wider Arab/Islamic world, and would not
provide the stability needed to develop the new Iraq.
168. The IPU stated that there was still some distance to go if we are to agree a way
forward to avoid an inchoate start to Phase IV.
169. The IPU set out a number of propositions which it hoped MrBlair and President
Bush could agree. Those propositions and the progress of the negotiations on resolution
1483 are addressed in Section 9.1.
31
170. MrStraw sent MrBlair an FCO paper on Phase IV issues in advance of Camp
David.99 MrStraw said that he hoped MrBlair would counter any tendency by President
Bush to conclude that the UN had failed over Iraq:
the US will need to go on working through the UN, both to authorise the postconflict work in Iraq so that a wide range of countries can join the peacekeeping and
reconstruction effort, and to provide an exit strategy for the US/UK and because the
UN itself and its agencies have important expertise to offer.
171. The FCO paper on Phase IV issues stated that, in addition to US agreement on a
UN resolution, the UK needed US agreement on a number of other important political,
humanitarian and economic issues, including:
A Baghdad Conference. The US was still thinking of a Coalition conference with

the UN in a supporting role. That was the wrong way round for international
acceptability.
The role of the Interim Iraqi Administration (IIA). An early statement of intent to
hand over power to an IIA while helping the Iraqi people to build a democratic
future should go down well. The UN Special Co-ordinator should have veto
power over the IIAs decisions.
Humanitarian issues. UK and US efforts were substantial: we should play them
up in the media.
Economic issues. After several wars and 12 years of sanctions, Iraqs oil
revenues alone would not meet the very heavy cost of reconstruction,
particularly in the short term. We need to share the burden with other developed
countries But contacts with them tell us they will make their contribution
conditional on there being an authorising UNSC resolution for Phase IV.
The World Bank would need to prepare a rigorous needs assessment, but that
too would probably need UN cover.100
172. On the UKs bilateral effort, the paper stated that Ms Short was considering where
the UK might help with the longer-term contribution to reform and reconstruction.
SSR and reform of the public service were two areas where the UK had a comparative
advantage. UK public finances were tight. If the UK was to keep armed forces in Iraq,
the scope for a major effort on reform and reconstruction will be limited.
173. MrBlair and President Bush met at Camp David on 26 and 27 March.
Their discussions are addressed in more detail in Section 9.1.
174. At dinner on the first evening, MrBlair told President Bush that he did not want
his visit to Camp David to focus primarily on a UN resolution to deal with post-conflict
99
Minute Straw to Blair, 25 March 2003, Camp David: Post-Iraq Policies.

Paper FCO, 25 March 2003, Iraq: Phase IV Issues.
100
32
Iraq.101 The question about what sort of resolution was needed for the administration
andreconstruction of Iraq should be parked. MrBlair said:
The time to debate this would come when we had secured victory, and were
inaposition of strength.
175. MrBlair raised Phase IV issues with President Bush the next day. They
discussed the need to push for a quick agreement on the resolution to continue the
OFF programme, and for a separate resolution that would free up financial and troop
contributions from other nations, secure World Bank and IMF involvement and put
reconstruction on the right footing.102
176. MrRycroft recorded that MrBlair had identified the main issue as being whether
the UN formed the future Iraqi government or whether the Coalition did so with UN
endorsement, but that he had said it was not helpful to expose this distinction yet.
177. On 31 March, MrLlewellyn advised MrDominick Chilcott, Head of the IPU, that UK
military lawyers based in Kuwait were becoming alarmed at ORHAs activities.103 ORHA
had issued three orders in relation to the port of Umm Qasr, including the application of
US labour and customs laws, for which there was no clear legal authority. The position
ofUK forces, if asked to participate in related activities, was therefore uncertain.
178. MrLlewellyn concluded: If it cannot be sorted out, we may well need a decision
from Ministers about whether UK forces should decline to take part in actions that we
consider unauthorised or unlawful.
179. The IPU sent recommendations on the UKs future engagement with ORHA to
MrStraw on 1 April.104
180. The IPU advised that the UK objective of an IIA acting under UN authorisation
was unlikely to be in place sooner than 90 days after the end of hostilities.105 Until then,
mechanisms were needed to deliver humanitarian assistance and, within the relevant
legal constraints, civil administration. Without such mechanisms, those tasks would fall
on the military, which had other priorities and limited resources.
181. The IPU listed three options:
tasking and resourcing 1 (UK) Div to take on those tasks autonomously in areas
of Iraq for which it was responsible;
Letter Manning to McDonald, 28 March 2003, Prime Ministers Meeting with President Bush at Camp
David: Dinner on 26 March.
102
Letter Rycroft to McDonald, 27 March 2003, Prime Ministers Meeting with President Bush at Camp
David: Iraq Phase IV.
103
Minute Llewellyn to Chilcott, 31 March 2003, Iraq: ORHA: Current Activity.
104
Minute Iraq Planning Unit to Private Secretary [FCO], 1 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA.
105
Paper IPU, 28 March 2003, Iraq: Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA).
101
33
working through ORHA and doing what was possible to increase ORHAs
institutional capacity; UK/US differences over legal issues would be likely to
have an impact on the UKs ability to achieve that; and
finding other ways to fulfil those tasks, for example through NGOs or
international agencies.
182. The IPU noted that ORHA would administer the whole of Iraq as part of an
integrated US-led approach and had large resources at its disposal, and concluded:
We may wish to support 1 Divs capacity to carry out specific actions (eg repairing
the water supply) in areas where we are responsible for maintaining security.
But the logic of ORHA a nation-wide approach to Phase IV limits the UKs
responsibilities and exposure. Carving out a separate approach in a UK sector would
make no sense.
The third option is not incompatible with this or with the second option. Indeed,
DFID may well wish to go down this route as the primary means of delivering
humanitarian and, in due course, reconstruction assistance. We shall need to keep
under review where the balance of our overall effort lies.
But ORHA remains the Coalitions transitional civil administration in waiting and
isits primary means for delivering humanitarian assistance. And at least until the
UNagencies and NGOs are present on the ground, only ORHA/CoalitionForces
willbe in a position to do this. This paper thus focuses exclusively on ORHAas
themeans for adding value and exerting UK influence in the immediate
postconflictenvironment.
183. The IPU advised that ORHA, which was then in Kuwait, had approximately
200staff, expected to rise to over 1,000 by the time it deployed to Iraq. The UK and
Australia had each seconded six officers. Five more UK secondees were in the pipeline
and one was working in ORHAs back office in the Pentagon. The UK secondees
were fully integrated and adding significant value. At ORHAs request, the IPU was
considering whether to strengthen UK representation, particularly in the areas of public
relations, civiladministration and humanitarian operations.
184. The IPU advised that Lt Gen Garner was reported to be expecting ORHA to act
as the transitional administration for 30 to 90 days. The priority for the first 30 days was
likely to be dealing with immediate humanitarian needs, including:
restoration of food supplies;

payment of public sector salaries;
re-establishment and rehabilitation of essential public services; and
working closely with UN staff to restart the OFF programme.
34
185. Depending on the circumstances, the UK could quite quickly be faced with a grey
area of possible activities which could move ORHA beyond the UKs understanding of an
Occupying Powers rights and obligations, perhaps including:
initiation of a small business loan programme;

abolition of Iraqi Government restrictions on private business;
significant changes to the exchange or trade regimes;
significant changes to the structure of the state budget; and
SSR.
186. In addition, the US Department of Defense (DoD) continued to consider that the
absence of a resolution need not prevent thorough-going political and economic reform,
including in areas the UK would consider to be clearly outside the UKs understanding of
an Occupying Powers rights and responsibilities.
187. The IPU concluded that, while ORHA was in many ways a sub-optimal
organisation for delivering the UKs Phase IV objectives, it was the only game in town.
There was ample scope to use UK secondees to exert leverage over US Phase IV
planning and implementation.
188. The IPU recommended that the UK should continue to commit resources to
ORHA where we can add real value and exert influence over emerging US perspectives
and plans. Only by full, constructive engagement could the UK hope to shape the
outcomes in ways that stay within UK red lines.
189. The IPU also recommended that the UK should:
continue to make clear to the US the limits within which the UK, including UK
personnel within ORHA, could operate;
seek close consultation on ORHAs plans, to ensure that they did not cross UK
red lines; and
subject to those points, confirm Major General Tim Cross, the senior UK
secondee to ORHA, as Deputy to Lt Gen Garner.
190. The Inquiry has seen no response to the IPU paper.

191. MrStraw considered the question of UK support for ORHA at the first meeting of
the AHMGIR on 10 April.
192. On 1 April, MrStraw described the UKs commitment to reconstruction in a speech
to the Newspaper Society Annual Conference:
Today our primary focus has to be the military campaign But we have given
and we are giving a huge amount of thought to the post-conflict situation
I dont underestimate the scale of the task. Saddam has led his country to ruin
35
Turning things round in a fully comprehensive way will not be the work of months.
It is likely to take years
Today I want to assure all the Iraqi people that our belief in their future prosperity
is as strong as our belief in their liberation. In the short term, our approach to
humanitarian relief and reconstruction will be founded on four key commitments
First: there will be emergency relief over the coming days and weeks
The Ministry of Defence has been allocated 30m DFID has earmarked 210m
Second: we will ensure that the United Nations oversees the medium and long-term
international aid programme to Iraq A central role for the UN will also be crucial in
attracting the expertise and funds from the major international financial institutions
and aid donors
Third: we will work with the United Nations and others on the long term
redevelopment and rehabilitation of Iraq
And fourth: we will ensure that Iraqs oil wealth will be used for the benefit of
the Iraqi people, to develop the infrastructure and services the country so
desperately needs.106
193. MrLlewellyn confirmed on 2 April that UK forces were now an Occupying Power
in that part of Iraq in their physical control.107
The legal framework for Occupation

It was widely understood by both the US and UK that once they had displaced theregime
of Saddam Hussein, Coalition Forces would exercise authority over and, under
international law be occupiers in Iraq.
The rules of international law on belligerent occupation relevant to reconstruction are set
out principally in the 1907 Hague Regulations.
In Iraq in April 2003, the UK was considered, at a minimum, the Occupying Power in that
part of South-East Iraq where its forces were physically present and exercised authority
(see Section 9.1). The UKs role alongside the US in ORHA (and then the Coalition
Provisional Authority (CPA)) raised questions about whether the UK was also jointly
responsible for the actions of those organisations throughout Iraq.
Article 43 of the Hague Regulations provides that the Occupying Power shall take all the
measures in his power to restore, and ensure, as far as possible, public order and safety
while respecting, unless absolutely prevented, the laws in force in the country.
Sir Michael Wood, the FCO Legal Adviser from 1999 to 2006, told the Inquiry:
While some changes to the legislative and administrative structure may be
permissible if they are necessary for public order and safety, more wide-reaching
106
107
The Guardian, 1 April 2003, Full text of Jack Straws speech.

Minute Llewellyn to Bristow, 2 April 2003, [untitled].
36
reforms of governmental and administrative structures are not lawful. That includes
the imposition of major economic reforms.108
United Nations Security Council resolution 1483 (2003), which was adopted on 22 May
2003, changed the legal framework for the Occupation of Iraq.109
Resolution 1483 confirmed that the administration of Iraq was the responsibility of the
Authority (the Occupying Powers).110 It also specified the role of the UN, exercised
through a Special Representative to the Secretary-General (SRSG).
In June, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers advised that the resolution clarified the
legitimate scope of activity of the Occupying Powers and authorised them to undertake
actions for the reform and reconstruction of Iraq going beyond the limitations of Geneva
Convention IV and the Hague Regulations.111 In some cases, such actions had to
be carried out in co-ordination with the SRSG or in consultation with the Iraqi interim
administration.
Particular actions that the resolution appeared to mandate were:
promoting economic reconstruction and the conditions for sustainable development;

promoting human rights; and
encouraging international efforts to promote legal and judicial reform.
The content and implications of resolution 1483 are described later in this Section.
194. MrTony Brenton, Charg dAffaires at the British Embassy Washington, warned
SirDavid Manning on 3 April that the UK was in danger of being left behind on ORHA.112
The list of senior officials to shadow ministries in Iraq was almost complete and those
officials would start deploying soon. Australia had bid for a place. The UK had not, even
though the US had said it would be open to such a bid. MrBrenton advised that:
Following our significant military efforts we surely have an interest in following
through to the civilian phase. If so, given the advanced state of US preparations,
it will be important that we vigorously pursue the point at next weeks talks
[at Hillsborough].
195. Sir David Manning commented: We need to decide if we want a place. Do we?113
He asked MrRycroft to discuss the issue with the FCO.
Statement, 15 January 2010, pages 2 and 3.

UN, Press Release SC/7765, 22 May 2003. Security Council lifts sanctions on Iraq, approves UN role,
calls for appointment of Secretary-Generals Special Representative.
110
UN Security Council resolution 1483 (2003).
111
Letter Adams to Llewellyn, 9 June 2003, Iraq: Effect of Security Council Resolution 1483 on the
Authority of the Occupying Powers.
112
Letter Brenton to Manning, 3 April 2003, Post Conflict Iraq.
113
Manuscript comment Manning, 4 April 2003, on Letter Brenton to Manning, 3 April 2003, Post Conflict
Iraq.
108
109
37
196. As part of the preparation for his meeting with President Bush at Hillsborough
on7and 8 April, MrBlair requested information on six issues:
the duration of each post-conflict phase;
an assessment of how ORHA and then the IIA will actually run Iraqi ministries;
and
a summary of the tribes, regions and governorates of Iraq;

a summary of exile groups and their credibility;
the UKs vision of how the UN Special Co-ordinator might work with Coalition
Forces;
an assessment of the state of the Iraqi civil service and bureaucracy.114
197. The FCO sent papers on each of those issues to No.10 on 4 April.115 Three had
been produced by the IPU and three by FCO Research Analysts.
198. The IPU paper on the post-conflict phases emphasised the timetables
dependence on a range of factors:
the permissiveness of the security environment;

the emergence of credible Iraqi leaders;
Iraqi attitudes towards the Coalition; and
the extent of Phase III damage to infrastructure.116
199. The IPU stated that the Iraqi people were likely to be more co-operative after
a swift and relatively clean collapse of Saddam Husseins regime. Lt Gen Garners
working assumption was that ORHA would fulfil its role for 30 to 90 days. Over time, its
legitimacy in Iraqi eyes would decline and pressure would increase for it to get involved
in reconstruction and reform work that exceeded what was legal for an Occupying Power.
The UK would therefore want a fairly rapid transition to an Iraqi Interim Authority while
allowing some time for credible leaders to emerge from within Iraq.
200. In a paper on How ORHA and then the IIA will actually run the Iraqi ministries,
the IPU stated that the UKs vision for Iraq was a transition from a command economy
with a corrupt public administration to a democratic state with a liberal, market economy
and a public sector that served the interests of its people, something comparable to the
transformations of central European countries after the fall of the Berlin wall.117
201. The IPU reported that Lt Gen Garner planned to deploy ORHA to Baghdad as
soon as it was safe to do so and to establish, with the Coalition military, a Coalition
Provisional Administration with control over the civil administration of Iraq.
Letter Rycroft to Owen, 3 April 2003, Post-Conflict Iraq: UK/US.

Letter Owen to Rycroft, 4 April 2003, Post-Conflict Iraq: UK/US.
116
Paper Iraq Planning Unit, 4 April 2003, Iraq: Post Conflict Phases: Timing.
117
Paper Iraq Planning Unit, 4 April 2003, How ORHA and then the IIA will actually run the Iraqi ministries.
114
115
38
202. The US intended to put a senior US official and a small group of Iraqi exiles
into each ministry, having removed undesirable elements. US officials would work
as advisers to Iraqi ministries, which would be headed by Iraqi secretaries-general.
Inpractice, the advisers would oversee the work of the ministries and, in due course,
begin their reform and restructuring. The US understood the importance of calling those
officials advisers, rather than shadow ministers.
203. The IPU reported that there was a bitter inter-agency dispute in Washington
over the list of US officials and Iraqi exiles. The UK had been invited to nominate British
advisers, but had made clear the need to be sure of the legal basis for their activities.
204. Once the IIA had been established, there would be a phased transfer of
the direction of Iraqi ministries. The US intended that the Coalition Provisional
Administration should retain considerable control over the IIAs handling of ministries.
The UK considered that to be politically unsellable and unlawful.
205. The UK model for the IIA was based on the Supreme National Council for
Cambodia (the model proposed in the FCO paper Models for Administering a PostSaddam Iraq in October 2002, see Section 6.4), which met regularly and took decisions
that would be implemented provided the UN Special Representative did not object.
206. The IPU concluded:
All the evidence suggests that the IIA will assert its independence vigorously from
the outset. A stately transfer of ministries powers from the Coalition to it may not be
politically possible. But a light supervisory role for a UN Special Co-ordinator may
be acceptable as the price the Iraqis have to pay for the international communitys
support to nation building. This might finally convince the US too.
207. The IPU paper on the UN Special Co-ordinator envisaged the appointee
co-ordinating humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, exercising a light degree
of supervision over the IIA, and helping with preparations for the Central Iraq
Conference (a consultative conference that took place in Baghdad on 28 April,
described in Section 9.1).118 Direct UN administration of Iraq would cross a red line
forthe US and, probably, the Iraqis themselves.
208. The FCO Research Analysts paper on tribes, regions and governorates
described the role of Iraqs tribes as a question for the future.119 Too much autonomy
and they could become a rival to the state. If they were ignored, a potentially useful
counterweight to religious leaderships with political ambitions could be lost in the period
during which the new state will be forming. Iraqi interlocutors maintained that, unlike in
Afghanistan, because much of the country was flat, it was relatively easy for control to
be exercised over the whole country (the Kurdish mountains being the main exception).
118
119
Paper Iraq Planning Unit, 4 April 2003, UN Special Co-ordinator.

Paper Research Analysts, 4 April 2003, Tribes, Regions and Governorates of Iraq.
39
209. The Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS) produced a more detailed paper on tribal
dynamics in Iraq and the UK AOR for the Chiefs of Staff on 11 April.120
210. The FCO Research Analysts paper on opposition groups distinguished between
those that were credible in Iraq and those that had courted US support, with the two
main Kurdish groups straddling the divide.121 The UK needed to balance the views of
external oppositionists who have experience of working in free democratic structures
with the need immediately to involve those in Iraq.
211. The third paper by FCO Research Analysts, on the state of the Iraqi civil service
and bureaucracy, described a very mixed picture.122 A large number of able technocrats
had kept the country going in difficult circumstances, while corruption and nepotism had
been given free rein at different levels. The UK had:
a fairly clear idea of how big the civil service is (about 1 million employees),
how it is structured and how employees are paid. We do not have any deep
knowledge about which levels of the administration are so highly politicised as to
need immediate reform, nor which individuals might have to be retired or stood
down. This in any case cannot realistically be assessed until after liberation.
Once Saddam Husseins regime has been ousted, it will certainly be necessary to
remove those who effectively enabled the regime to stay in power. Others, even if
members of the Baath or guilty of minor transgressions, should probably be left in
place if possible in order to keep the machinery of the state running. However, our
(as yet limited) experience inside Iraq gives the warning that officials may in any
case abandon their posts, possibly to seek sanctuary with relatives of their tribes
Iraqis have reminded us that many competent people now in exile left the civil
service, retired early, or were not promoted because they were not sufficiently
Baathist. They may represent a pool who can be called upon if this can be done
without causing resentments or new accusations of nepotism.
212. On 8 April, MrRycroft reported the outcome of MrBlairs discussions with
President Bush at Hillsborough to MrStraws Private Office.123 MrBlair had stressed to
President Bush the importance of a joint strategy for the next phase and of ensuring
legitimacy at every stage; keeping the UN representative involved would help to ensure
UN endorsement.
213. MrBlair emphasised the importance of having the UN involved, in order to engage
IFIs and bilateral donors, and to secure our own exit.
Minute SECCOS to PSO/CDS, 11 April 2003, OP COS Action: Tribal Factions in Iraq, attaching Paper,
[undated], Tribal Dynamics in Iraq.
121
Paper Research Analysts, April 2004, Iraqi opposition groups.
122
Paper Research Analysts, 4 April 2003, The state of the Iraqi civil service and bureaucracy.
123
Letter Rycroft to McDonald, 8 April 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting with Bush, 7-8 April.
120
40
214. A public statement made jointly by President Bush and MrBlair after the meeting
stated that the UN had a vital role to play in the reconstruction of Iraq.124
215. Also on 8 April, Baroness Symons, joint FCO/DTI Minister of State for
InternationalTrade and Investment, met representatives of UK companies to discuss
commercial opportunities in Iraq.125 She made it clear that the UK was not in this
conflictfor business opportunities, but that UK companies had a great deal of expertise
and knowledge to offer and should be involved in the redevelopment of Iraq, for the
benefit of the Iraqi people.
The MODs Red Team

Section 6.5 describes the creation of a small Red Team in the MOD Defence Intelligence
Staff (DIS) in February 2003. The Red Team was intended to give the Chiefs of Staff and
key planners in the MOD and Whitehall an independent view of intelligence assumptions
and key judgements, to challenge those if appropriate and to identify areas where more
work was needed.126
The Red Team produced two reports before the invasion (see Section 6.5). Three more
were produced before the Red Team was disbanded on 18 April:
What will Happen in Baghdad?;

The Future Governance of Iraq;
The Strands of the Rope (an assessment of the steps needed to achieve an effective
Iraqi Interim Administration and hand over to a representative governmentofIraq).
On 7 April, the Red Team issued a report on the likely developments in Baghdad in the
days, weeks and months ahead:
The security apparatus works on fear, not professionalism. With the removal of fear
there may well be a widespread law and order problem. The police are all Baath
members and cannot initially be trusted until the worst Baathists are identified and
removed. According to one military interlocutor, the RA [regular army] is the only
respected national institution and could be used for internal security duties, if better
trained and equipped.
Once Saddam is gone there is likely to be widespread and apparently random
violence between Iraqis. Specific attacks against Coalition Forces are likely to
come later (perhaps some months later) if particular individuals or groups feel they
are being cut out of contracts, administration positions etc. They may then hire
submerged paramilitary thugs to redress their grievances.127
US Department of State Archive, 8 April 2003, Joint Statement by President George W Bush and Prime
Minister Tony Blair.
125
Minute Allan to PS/Baroness Symons, 8 April 2003, Iraq: Record of Meeting with UK companies.
126
Minute PS/CDI to various, 25 February 2003, Iraq: Red Teaming in the DIS.
127
Minute PS/CDI to APS2/SoS [MOD], 7 April 2003, Iraq Red Team What will Happen in Baghdad?
attaching Paper DIS Red Team, [undated], What will Happen in Baghdad?
124
41
On the role of the Baath Party, the Red Team stated:

To be a Baathist does not necessarily mean an individual is a hard core supporter of
the regime. Most joined to advance their careers or under duress (mostly government
employees). In every government department there is a hard-core
It will require detailed inside knowledge to identify the bad apples in any
organisation; it may not necessarily be the head of the organisation, it could be
the number two or three, or someone even further down the hierarchy. Outsiders,
particularly Westerners who lack detailed knowledge of pre-war political agendas
which are unconnected with the Saddam regime may need to exercise caution to
ensure they do not become unwitting agents in any infighting in any existing Iraqi
organisations that are kept in place.
The Red Team concluded:
Historically there is trouble in Iraq whenever central authority is weakened. It may
therefore be advisable to maintain a Coalition military government longer than
currently envisaged
On 11 April, in a report on the future governance of Iraq, the Red Team listed five steps for
the successful establishment of a long-term representative Iraqi government:
Establishing a peaceful and secure environment.
Answering immediate humanitarian needs.

Establishing an effective Interim Administration.
Re-establishing the rule of law
A constitutional process leading to elections and the withdrawal of Coalition
Forces.128
The Red Team concluded that the Coalition would have to make use of indigenous Iraqi
security forces to establish and maintain law and order. The Iraqi Army was described
as the most trusted and least corrupt national security institution. It was Iraqs oldest
institution and a focus of national pride. Some senior officers and units have remained
sufficiently detached from the regime to be of use. The Iraqi Army could not be used
everywhere. In the south-east the Marsh Arabs have cause to hate them, but they
would be respected and preferred to Coalition Forces in many areas. In contrast, the civil
police were a largely discredited and demoralised force viewed as auxiliaries to the
Baathist security apparatus. However, the Red Team assessed that, in the short term,
it might be worth making use of them with appropriate direction and supervision from
Coalition forces.
In its final report, The Strands of the Rope, issued on 18 April, the Red Team emphasised
the immediate need to re-institute the rule of law in Iraq, using ex-Baath personnel
(accompanied by a well-publicised and effective screening process that will remove
Minute PS/CDI to APS2/SoS [MOD], 11 April 2003, Iraq Red Team the Future Governance of Iraq
attaching Paper DIS Red Team, [undated], Iraq Red Team: the Future Governance of Iraq.
128
42
the worst offenders) and the existing Iraqi legal code, stripped of the more repressive
elements introduced by Saddam Husseins regime.129 The Red Team judged that:
If the IIA can provide a secure environment (including the rule of law), resolve
shortterm economic problems and address immediate humanitarian needs,
futureIraqi-led government structures and a process of justice and reconciliation
willemerge naturally, given time.
Decisions to increase UK support for ORHA

216. On 9 April, in his budget statement to the House of Commons, MrGordon Brown,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that he had set aside an additional
US$100m to back up the UN and the work of reconstruction and development
(see Section 13.1).130
217. On 15 April, MrBoateng advised Ms Short how those funds could be drawn
down.131 He understood that DFID did not need access to additional funds immediately,
given that humanitarian and reconstruction work was at a very early stage, and that
DFID had 95m of uncommitted resources, but he fully expected DFID to bid for
additional funding for Iraq in the next few months. Before DFID drew on the new
allocation, Ms Short should write to him, setting out her proposals for how the additional
money would be spent.
218. MrStraw chaired the first meeting of the AHMGIR on 10 April.132 MrStraw told
the meeting:
The prospects for further UN Security Council resolutions were uncertain and
negotiations were very likely to take weeks.
219. Lord Goldsmith said that he was content for ORHA to undertake humanitarian,
security and public order duties and to restore civilian administration but it must be
careful not to impose reform and restructuring without further legal authority. US and
UK lawyers would try to agree a Memorandum of Understanding to define how the UK
would be consulted.
220. Summing up the discussion, MrStraw described the meetings agreement that
the UK should retain a right of veto in extremis on ORHA activities. UK support should
increase and be formalised through:
confirmation of Maj Gen Crosss position as one of Lt Gen Garners deputies;

an increase in the number of UK secondees;
Minute PS/CDI to APS2/SoS [MOD], 18 April 2003, Iraq Red Team The Strands of the Rope
attaching Paper DIS Red Team, [undated], Iraq Red Team: The Strands of the Rope.
130
131
Letter Boateng to Short, 15 April 2003, Budget announcement on Iraq.
132
Minutes, 10 April 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
129
43
provision of a UK spokesman; and

UK leadership of an ORHA group on security sector management and planning
for security sector reform.
MrStraw would write to MrBlair on that point.

221. On 13 April, before MrStraw had written, MrBlair told his No.10 team that the UK
should put as many UK people in [ORHA] as possible to help.133
222. MrStraw visited ORHA in Kuwait on 14 April. During his visit, Maj Gen Cross
presented him with a Must Should Could paper, listing ORHA posts which the UK
should consider filling if it were going to play a full part in the post-war business, and if
we wanted to ensure influence with the US.134
223. MrMoazzam Malik, Head of DFIDs Iraq Humanitarian Response and
Co-ordination Team, called Ms Shorts Private Office from Kuwait on 15 April.135
MrMalik reported:
ORHA is incredibly awful badly conceived; badly managed; US driven; failing;
and incapable of delivering to our timeframes. There may be things we could do to
support it, but it would be a political judgement (and a big political risk).
224. MrMalik also reported that he was:
very, very impressed with the UK military. They are doing an extremely good job
using the sort of language you would expect DFID people to use
225. MrStraw wrote to MrBlair on 15 April, following his return from Kuwait,
recommending that the UK should significantly increase its political and practical support
to ORHA, including by seconding significant numbers of staff into priority areas.136
In return, the UK wanted the US to commit to transparency and joint decision-making
(see Section 9.1).
226. MrStraw stated that the USs intention was:
that ORHA will oversee the Phase IV humanitarian and reconstruction effort and
restore normal functioning of Iraqi ministries and provinces, with the aim of phased
restoration of full control of government to the Iraqis themselves. In doing so, the
US intends that it will work as far as possible with and through existing ministries in
Baghdad. A team within ORHA will work on constitutional issues including setting up
the Iraqi Interim Authority (IIA). The US also envisage the establishment of ORHA
regional offices in the provinces.
Note Blair to Powell, 13 April 2003, Note.
Statement Cross, 2009, pages 18 and 19.
135
Minute Bewes to Secretary of State [DFID], 15 April 2003, [untitled].
136
Letter Straw to Prime Minister, 15 April 2003, Iraq: Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian
Assistance (ORHA).
133
134
44
227. MrStraw reported that the UKs approach to ORHA had been cautious. The UK
would have preferred an organisation less closely tied to the Pentagon and less subject
to US inter-agency politics. There were also significant legal questions. Against that
background, the UK had seconded 12 military and civilian officers to ORHA in Kuwait
and the Pentagon. Their role was to influence ORHAs thinking on key Phase IV issues
and to ensure that information flowed from theatre to the UK Government, including on
commercial opportunities.
228. MrStraw continued:
whatever its shortcomings, ORHA will be the essential element in the ability of
the Coalition to carry its military successes into the post-conflict phase. The legal
constraints are unlikely to be a problem in the first stage of ORHAs work, which
will be focused on immediate humanitarian and reconstruction needs, including the
restoration of a functioning civil administration
I therefore recommend a step change in the resources and personnel we offer
We are working urgently to establish where we can best make a contribution and
how this will be funded.
We now need an immediate effort across Government and with the private sector to
get UK experts into key Iraqi ministries quickly. Patricia [Hewitt] is particularly keen
that we should appoint people to the economic ministries
229. Sir David Manning commented to MrBlair:
J[ack] S[traw] rightly calling for a step change in our contribution to ORHA. But legal
constraints/possible veto power may be problematic.137
230. MrStraw described his visit to ORHA in Kuwait in his memoir:
I could not believe the shambles before my eyes. There were around forty people in
the room, who, somehow or other, were going to be the nucleus of the government
of this large, disputatious and traumatised nation.138
231. Maj Gen Cross sent his Must Should Could paper to the MOD and the IPU on
15 April.139
232. The musts included:
a secondee to ORHAs Leadership Group;

three secondees to ORHAs public affairs and media office;
Manuscript comment Manning to Prime Minister, 16 April 2003, on Letter Straw to Prime Minister,
15 April 2003, Iraq: Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA).
138
Straw J. Last Man Standing: Memoirs of a Political Survivor, MacMillan, 2012.
139
Minute Cross to MOD (MA/DCDS(C)), 15 April 2003, ORHA posts UK manning: must/should/could.
137
45
three or four advisers to support Iraqi ministries involved in SSR (Defence,

Interior and Justice); the UK had been asked to lead ORHAs Internal Security
cross-cutting group; and
UK secondees to strengthen each of the three (or possibly four) ORHA regional
teams to ensure the UK remained fully joined-up with all parts of ORHA.
233. The shoulds included a UK civilian to lead the ORHA regional office covering
central Iraq, and advisers in the oil and finance sectors.
234. Maj Gen Cross advised that, if all the recommendations were accepted,
the number of UK staff would rise from 19 to about 100 within an ORHA total of
1,500(including force protection and support staff).
235. On 15 April, the IPU informed Sir Michael Jay that the Cabinet Office was clear
that the FCO should continue to lead on deployments to ORHA.140 The IPU had
requested extra staff to cover the major surge of work in managing the secondment
of UK officials to ORHA, and was trying to identify funding. It estimated that the first UK
secondees would be required by early May.
236. Section 15 addresses the recruitment of additional UK secondees to ORHA.
It shows that there were no contingency preparations for the deployment of more than
a handful of UK civilians to Iraq and that the UKs response was hampered by the
absence of cross-Whitehall co-ordinating machinery and a lack of information about
what ORHA needed.
237. On 16 April, at the request of the FCO, the JIC produced an Assessment,
Theinitial landscape post-Saddam.141 The JIC stated:
The situation in Iraq is complex, fast-moving and confused
There has been jubilation at the fall of Saddam Husseins regime. But we judge
that this is likely to dissipate quickly. Most of the Iraqi population is ambivalent about
the role of the Coalition and uncertain about the future. Initial reporting shows that
concerns arise quickly about the breakdown of law and order and the need for food
and water. Some pre-war reports suggested that the Iraqi population has high,
perhaps exaggerated, hopes that the Coalition will rapidly improve their lives by
improving their access to clean drinking water, electricity and sanitation. However,
even without any war damage, there are severe shortfalls in the infrastructure of
these sectors, and in healthcare. Looting has made matters worse
There is no sign yet of widespread popular support for opposition to the Coalition.
We judge that, at least in the short term, the details of the post-Saddam political
process will be less important for many Iraqis than a restoration of internal security
Minute Chatterton Dickson to PS/PUS [FCO], 15 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA: PUSs meeting with
Permanent Secretaries, 16 April.
141
JIC Assessment, 16 April 2003, Iraq: the initial landscape post-Saddam.
140
46
and the start of reconstruction. But the Iraqi population will blame the Coalition if
progress is slow.
238. Also on 16 April, General Tommy Franks, Commander in Chief US Central
Command (CENTCOM), issued his Freedom Message to the Iraqi People, which
described the role of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).142 Section 9.1 describes
how the creation of the CPA signalled a major change in the US approach to Iraq, from
ashort military Occupation to an extended civil administration, and concludes that the
UK was slow to recognise that change.
239. The question of whether the UK should take on general responsibility for a
geographical area of Iraq in the post-conflict period had been put to MrBlairs
meeting on post-conflict issues on 6 March 2003 (see Section 6.5).143 No decision
had been taken.
240. On 16 April, the AHMGIR, chaired in MrStraws absence by MrHoon,
commissioned advice on whether the UK should lead one of ORHAs regional offices.144
241. In response, later that day, MrDrummond sent Sir David Manning an IPU paper
recommending that the UK defer making a commitment to lead an ORHA regional
office until a scoping study had been carried out to determine the practical implications
of such a decision, including the costs.145 The IPU paper was also sent to MrStraws
Private Office.
242. The IPU paper reported that the US had not yet decided on the number of ORHA
regional offices. One possibility was a four region structure consisting of Baghdad,
northern and eastern border provinces, central Iraq and southern Iraq.
243. The IPU stated that the UK remained concerned that US policy in Iraq would not be
consistent with the UKs understanding of the rights and responsibilities of an Occupying
Power. If a UK-led ORHA region included within it areas occupied by US forces, the UK
would have legal responsibility for their actions but no practical way to control them.
244. The IPU advised that the UK therefore needed to decide whether in principle
it wanted to lead a regional office covering a region coterminous with that in which
1(UK) Div was responsible for maintaining security. If Ministers wanted to pursue that
option, a number of fundamental questions needed urgent answers, including how the
UKledregional office would relate to UK forces.
Statement Franks, 16 April 2003, Freedom Message to the Iraqi People.

Letter Cannon to Owen, 7 March 2003, Iraq: Post-Conflict Issues.
144
145
Minute Drummond to Manning, 16 April 2003, Iraq: Support for ORHA Regional Office attaching Paper
IPU, 16 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA Regional Offices.
142
143
47
245. The paper set out arguments for and against taking on an ORHA regional office.
The arguments in favour included:
the opportunity to influence ORHA at the operational as well as policy level; and
the possibility of promoting an exemplary approach to the relationship
betweenthe civil and military arms of the Coalition if the ORHA region matched
the UK AOR.
246. The arguments against were:
the reputational risks associated with creating a region where the UK had a
high profile (If the Coalition Provisional Authority ran into difficulty this would
impact on the UKs standing in Iraq to a greater degree than if we remained a
(junior) partner in ORHA without a clear regional responsibility);
limited resources; and
if ORHA/the US failed to provide resources for activities in the UK-led region, the
UK could be faced with the choice of finding resources itself or being seen to
fail in the eyes of the local population and more widely.
247. Sir David advised MrBlair:

I think you will have to give firm direction. My own view is that we should accept
the risks and lead a regional office to cover area for which we have military
responsibility.146
248. MrBlair chaired the Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq on 17 April.147
249. Ms Short expressed reservations about suggestions that DFID should fund the
extra staff for ORHA.
250. MrBlair concluded that ORHA:
was important in getting Iraq back on its feet. We should have influence inside
it. He was sympathetic to the British taking a regional lead in the Office, and wanted
the scoping study completed quickly so that final decisions could be made on our
participation. On the proposal for an additional contribution to the Office [ORHA],
work should proceed quickly to identify posts and potential candidates. The issue of
funding should be addressed before Ministers met on 24 April. There should be
no bureaucratic hold up in sorting out this priority.
251. MrRycroft wrote to MrMcDonald later that day, confirming that it was MrBlairs
view that the UK should increase support for ORHA and that it should take on
Manuscript comment Manning to Prime Minister on Letter Drummond to Manning, 16 April 2003,
Iraq:Support for ORHA Regional Office, attaching Paper IPU, 16 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA Regional
Offices.
147
Minutes, 17 April 2003, Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq.
146
48
responsibility for an ORHA regional office unless the scoping study concludes that this
is impossible.148
252. MrRycroft also recorded MrBlairs view that:
As a general rule, our role in humanitarian aid and in the reconstruction of Iraq
should be commensurate with our contribution to the military phase.
253. MrRycroft advised that MrBlair believed that the US$100m made available
to DFID in the 9 April Budget statement should be used to support ORHA, including
fundingsecondees to ORHA from other UK Government departments.
254. Ms Short told DFID officials that she had outlined the conclusions of MrMaliks
report at the Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq.149 DFID would not be able to pay for ORHAs
inefficiency. Putting in large numbers of people might make the situation even worse.
255. Lt Gen Garner, accompanied by Maj Gen Cross and other ORHA staff, left Kuwait
to fly into Baghdad on 21 April.150
256. In response to the decision at the Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq on 17 April to increase
and formalise UK support for ORHA, Sir Michael Jay wrote to Sir Andrew Turnbull on
22April, inviting all Permanent Secretaries urgently to set in hand arrangements to
identify volunteers for secondment to ORHA.151
257. Sir Michael attached an IPU list of initial priority areas for UK support to ORHAs
work on strengthening Iraqi ministries, based on advice from UK secondees in ORHA.
Priority areas included:
priority one (must fill): defence, SSR and intelligence; interior, policing,
justice and prisons; the Oil Ministry; all ministries relevant to infrastructure;
central banking;
priority two (should fill): finance, foreign affairs, customs and health; and
priority three (could fill): education, culture, local government; and labour and
social affairs.
258. In his letter, Sir Michael described in broad terms the personal qualities and skills
volunteers should possess:
The key to a successful secondment will be enthusiasm, personal impact,
resilience, flexibility and the ability to take a wide top-down view of policy and
Letter Rycroft to McDonald, 17 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA.

Minute PPS [DFID] to Miller, 17 April 2003, Iraq Cabinet Readout: 17 April.
150
Bowen SW Jr. Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience. U.S. Government Printing Office,
2009; Statement Cross, 2009, page 20.
151
Letter Jay to Turnbull, 22 April 2003, Iraq: UK Support for the Office for Reconstruction and
Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) attaching Paper IPU, April 2003, Provisional Estimate of Priority Areas
for UK Engagement in ORHA Assistance to Iraqi Ministries.
148
149
49
priorities. The ability to deploy quickly is also essential: ideally, we want the first
volunteers to reach Baghdad on around 5 May, to allow them to shape ORHAs work
and approach from the start
In all cases, enthusiasm and personal qualities are likely to be just as important as
specific expertise.
259. The IPU list attached to Sir Michaels letter drew heavily on Maj Gen Cross earlier
must/should/could list, but incorporated a number of changes including:
upgrading the Oil Ministry to must fill, citing UK commercial interests and the
presence of major Iraqi oil installations in the UKs AOR; and
upgrading infrastructure ministries to must fill, citing the important
commercialdimension.
260. The IPU list only considered ORHAs work to strengthen Iraqi ministries. It did
not identify staffing requirements for ORHAs regional offices or for ORHAs senior
management team. Maj Gen Cross had listed UK support for ORHA regional offices as
must fill, the provision of a UK civilian to lead an ORHA regional office as a should
fill, and had identified a senior individual to join Garners senior management team as
amust fill.
261. On the same day as Sir Michael Jays request for volunteers, Ms Shorts Private
Office sent MrMaliks report on his visit to ORHA in Kuwait to No.10, the Cabinet
Secretary, the Cabinet Office, the FCO, the MOD, the Treasury, DFID, the DTI and the
Attorney Generals Office.152
262. MrMaliks report stated that ORHA was simply not prepared to meet the
immediate recovery needs in Iraq; those would need to be addressed by the military
and, security permitting, by UN agencies and NGOs.
263. MrMalik assessed that ORHA was more focused on longer-term reconstruction
and reform. A number of large USAID contracts had been let, and there was some
good thinking in a number of reform areas, but it remained to be seen whether ORHAs
plans and contracts were flexible enough to respond to conditions on the ground.
ORHAs teams and pillars were not well co-ordinated and there was little sense of
a unifying strategy.
264. ORHAs plans for reconstruction and civil administration were broad and not
obviously limited to those of an Occupying Power; UK collaboration would therefore
require further legal advice.
Letter DFID [junior official] to Rycroft, 22 April 2003, Iraq: Engagement with ORHA attaching Paper
DFID Humanitarian Response and Coordination Team, 22 April 2003, Iraq: ORHA Visit Report.
152
50
265. The ORHA(South) team had, to date, proved largely ineffective. UK forces had
now begun to plan on the basis that they would get little practical support from ORHA
inthe immediate recovery phase.
266. The covering letter from Ms Shorts Private Office stated:
The visit report has clear implications for the planned Ministerial discussion
[at the Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq Rehabilitation on 25 April] regarding UK
secondments to ORHA. Given the competing claims on scarce resources to support
Iraq, Ministers will wish to prioritise any staff deployments carefully. Ministers and
Accounting Officers will also wish to satisfy themselves that any UK secondments
toORHA meet the usual standards of effectiveness and cost efficiency.
267. Sir David Manning commented: Very unhelpful. More than a whiff of not invented
here so wont support/try to improve.153
268. An annex to MrMaliks report, marked Not for circulation outside DFID and not
sent to No.10 or other departments, added:
Overall, engagement with ORHA is very high risk. Across the board, staffing is
thin, management is weak, officials are frustrated, there is poor strategy/planning,
weak internal communications and decision making. Equally, it could be argued that
engagement would help address these weaknesses.
Poorly worked out plans could do damage on the ground. Equally, there are areas
in which good teams have been assembled and good planning is underway. In these
areas, ORHA will set the agenda or reform for some years to come.
The key judgement is whether UK policy makers can influence an ORHA that is and
will remain dominated by US DoD.154
269. The annex identified three options for DFID:
No engagement. This would marginalise DFID within the UK Government and in

ORHA. It would, however, safeguard DFID and leave it free to engage with the
UN, IFIs and NGOs and pursue a more normal DFID country operation.
Full engagement as proposed by the Foreign Secretary and General
Tim Cross.
Limited engagement in carefully chosen areas, in an eyes and ears role as
directed by Ms Short. That would comprise three or four DFID secondees.
Manuscript comment Manning on Letter DFID [junior official] to Rycroft, 22 April 2003,
Iraq:Engagement with ORHA.
154
Paper DFID, [undated], Iraq: ORHA Visit Report Annex.
153
51
270. Ms Short chaired a meeting with Ms Sally Keeble, DFID Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State, and DFID officials on 23 April, to discuss DFID planning and support
for ORHA.155
271. Ms Short agreed a suggestion from MrChakrabarti that other departments should
be given access to the 60m announced by MrBrown in his 9 April budget statement to
pay for their secondments to ORHA. That would mean that they, rather than DFID, would
have to pass the Treasurys tests on value for money and effectiveness.
272. A DFID official suggested that DFID needed to develop a game plan for the
coming weeks and months, to help DFIDs planning, enable it to influence the
wider international system and to help agree roles and responsibilities within the UK
government. Ms Keeble agreed that such a plan could be useful, but stated that DFID
would need to be very clear that all parts of such a plan which related to DFID were
owned and managed by us, and not by No.10 or a Cabinet Office structure we could not
trust. Ms Short agreed, noting that aiming for a cross-Whitehall plan risked producing
an end result that did not tally with DFIDs view on its own or others roles.
273. Ms Short stated that DFID should not start from a presupposition that we
would work with ORHA, but begin by looking at the tasks which needed to be achieved,
and within that framework whether it made sense to engage with ORHA. The first
priority was to establish law and order, which was a task for the military, not ORHA.
Second was immediate assistance, a task for the ICRC rather than ORHA. The third
priority, paying wages, was a task for ORHA and the UK needed to understand their
plans, but key recovery issues, including financing needs, would emerge from the IFI
needs assessment.
274. Ms Short concluded that DFID needed one or two people within ORHA to act as
DFIDs eyes and ears. DFID should not bow to external pressure to put people into
ORHA for the sake of it, but test each proposal individually.
275. On 24 April, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), advised
the AHMGIR that the US planned to divide Iraq into five sectors.156 The UK military would
lead one sector, comprising four provinces in south-eastern Iraq. That was manageable
provided that other countries offered troops to work with us and the UK could take
ona fifth province if others contributed the necessary forces for it. The southern region
of ORHA would follow the boundaries of the UKs sector.
276. Ministers agreed that the size of the UK military sector will depend on the
permissiveness of the environment and the extent of other nations contributions, but
the current assumption was that it would comprise four, or possibly five provinces in the
South. The MOD was instructed to report progress at the next meeting.
155
156
Minute Bewes to Miller, 24 April 2003, Iraq: 23 April.

52
277. Ministers also agreed that departments should continue to recruit additional
secondees to ORHA, with a view to a significant increase by 5 May, and that the UK
should offer to play a leading role in ORHA south-eastern regional HQ, provided that
ORHA leaders confirm that it would be coterminous with the emerging UK-led security
sector and that we will not pay programme costs.
278. MrChilcott led the inter-departmental scoping visit to ORHA from 27 to 28 April.157
279. MrChilcott reported to MrEdward Chaplin, FCO Director Middle East and North
Africa, that Maj Gen Cross was a star act but was frustrated and angry at Whitehalls
slowness to support him, particularly DFID and the MOD. MrChilcott hoped that the
progress now being made would show Maj Gen Cross that Ministers enthusiasm for
ORHA is finally being translated into extra staff.
280. MrChilcott also reported that security and communications were the biggest
problems facing ORHA staff.
281. The FCO has not been able to provide the Inquiry with a copy of MrChilcotts
report on the case for reinforcing ORHA(South).
282. The impact of deteriorating security on the deployment of civilian personnel to Iraq
is addressed in Section 15.1.
283. A Cabinet Office report to Ministers on 1 May 2003 stated that the UK recce team
had confirmed the feasibility of a leading UK regional role in the south east and would
be recommending a substantial UK presence.158
284. In his statement to the Inquiry, Maj Gen Cross described both his time with ORHA
in Kuwait and his initial experience in Baghdad:
Garner had made it clear that he wanted me to be his Coalition Deputy,
notwithstanding the fact that the UK had still not confirmed publicly that we had
anyone in his team. I was still a LO [liaison officer] with a very small team, and
I wasnot receiving any clear direction from Whitehall, other than not to commit the
UK to anything!
My UK team was strengthened a little, including a very useful media team provided
by Alistair Campbell, effectively from within No 10. But my attempts to get significant
numbers of additional UK personnel were frustratingly slow
Minute Chilcott to Chaplin, 30 April 2003, Visit to Iraq.

Letter Drummond to Owen, 1 May 2003, Iraq: Report to Ministers attaching Paper Cabinet Office,
1 May 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers.
157
158
53
We established good links into the UK Division. Garner wanted to establish an

ORHA office/footprint in or around Basra as soon as events allowed, and he wanted
it to be UK led initially by me. Whitehall seemed to refuse to countenance the idea;
it was never explained to me why this was so, but I sensed a fear that this would
lead to [the] UK having to bear the brunt of reconstruction costs in the South/South
West area. I was given fairly clear direction not to agree to this just about the only
clear direction I received on any issue!159
285. Maj Gen Cross told the Inquiry that, once in Baghdad, Lt Gen Garners authority
became brutally exposed:
The [ORHA] ministry teams fanned out and each reported back, initially quite
positively. Most found Iraqis prepared to work with us, buildings standing and files
etc available many having been secured at the homes of various officials. But as
the security situation began to deteriorate the US military commanders refused to
provide sufficient escort vehicles, and then stopped anyone moving around without
an escort. Meetings were disrupted and, most crucially, the Ministry buildings began
to be targeted and burnt and looted Garner repeatedly asked for crucial key points
to be guarded but his pleas met with little response. Linked to this the contractual
support from the USAID reconstruction effort failed to materialise. There were few
resources to work with, and a vacuum of inactivity was created.
Garner realised that we couldnt possibly run the country we had nowhere
near enough people to do that so we had to enable them [the Iraqi people] to
do it themselves. But his efforts were undermined and he got little support from
Washington. I received no direction from the UK on our policy on this.160
286. Maj Gen Cross also told the Inquiry that, as security in Baghdad worsened, he
secured equipment, vehicles and personal protection through personal contacts in the
UK Armed Forces.161 He received little support from the UK Government:
To be fair communications were difficult, but I was given little support still no idea
what our UK strategic intent was, no response to my Must-Should-Could paper.
If it had not been for my personal contacts within the UK military I would have had
virtually no support my impression was that Whitehall was uncertain of where to
go from here, and I sensed that the FCO felt it better not to be implicated too much
in what was happening rather let the MOD get it wrong!!
287. At their 24 April meeting, the AHMGIR considered an IPU/FCO paper entitled
Oil/Energy Policy for Iraq.162 The paper described itself as a stock-take which built
onprevious work by the IPU.163
Statement, 2009, pages 17-19.
Statement, 2009, page 22.
161
Statement, 2009, pages 22-23.
162
163
Paper IPU, 22 April 2003, Oil/Energy Policy for Iraq.
159
160
54
288. The paper stated that Iraqs oil fields had been undamaged by the fighting,
although a few wells had been sabotaged. Those fires were now all extinguished. There
had been some looting and damage to pipelines and oil refineries.
289. There was a growing shortage of gas (for power stations), fuel and cooking gas,
particularly in the South.
290. The paper stated that, within the Security Council, oil remained a contentious
issue. Council members had different motivations. The UK and US were keen to get
Iraqi oil flowing again as soon as possible to meet humanitarian/reconstruction needs.
France and Russia wanted to protect the interests of their companies that had existing
contracts under the OFF programme.
291. The UK was proposing a three-phase approach to dealing with Iraqi oil and the
OFF programme:
To extend resolution 1472 to 3 June (the end of the current OFF programme
phase), and possibly extend the OFF programme itself beyond 3 June. If
the OFF programme continued for any length of time, the UN SecretaryGeneral would need enhanced powers to sell Iraqi oil and buy the full range
ofhumanitarian supplies.
To pass control of Iraqi oil and gas revenues to a credible interim
administration once one had been established, subject to certain checks to
protect against mismanagement or unfairness.
To hand over full control over oil and oil revenues to a democratically elected
Iraqi Government.
292. The UK and the US agreed that all strategic decisions on the development of
the oil industry should be left to a representative Iraqi government and that, in the
meantime, all oil business should be handled in as transparent a manner as possible.
293. Introducing the paper at the AHMGIR meeting, an FCO official said that Iraqs oil
infrastructure was in a better state than had been feared when the conflict begun.164
294. Ms Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary, said that UK companies
wanted a future Iraqi Government to establish a level playing field for oil industry
contracts.
295. The AHMGIR agreed that the UK should:

164
encourage Iraqi oil exports to recommence as soon as possible, but only after
an appropriate resolution had been adopted;
offer UK oil expertise to ORHA and in the medium term to the IIA; and
55
leave future decisions on the shape of the Iraqi oil industry and the management
of oil revenues to the new Iraqi Government, while advising on international
best practice.
296. UK policy on Iraqs oil and oil revenues is addressed in Section 10.3.
297. On 24 April, Sir Michael Jay recommended to MrStraw that the Iraq Planning Unit
(IPU) should merge with the Iraq Section of the FCOs Middle East Department (MED)
and be renamed the Iraq Policy Unit.165 The mechanisms in place since mid-January166
had worked well, but were not sustainable indefinitely. There was a need for a stable
structure which will enable us to sustain the considerable effort which will now be
needed for quite a while yet.
298. Sir Michael proposed retaining the Iraq Planning Units Whitehall-wide character, in
particular by recruiting a high proportion of staff on secondment from other departments.
He concluded:
This will be a high priority for the Office [FCO] over the next months at least. We
shall find the necessary resources, though this will have to be at the expense of
lower priority work elsewhere.
299. MrStraw approved Sir Michael Jays recommendation on 28 April.167
300. At the Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq on 28 April, MrHoon said that efforts to improve the
life of Iraqis in the South were bearing fruit.168
301. Ms Short described the UK role in Basra as exemplary, but life was still disrupted.
In Baghdad, conditions were more difficult and residual anti-American feeling was
evident.
302. In discussion, Ministers noted that ORHA was at an embryonic stage and more
urgency should be given to UK engagement.
303. In late April, tension in Iraq between the UK military and DFID became increasingly
apparent.
304. MrMike OBrien, FCO Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, attended the
Central Iraq Conference in Baghdad on 28 April (see Section 9.1). In the margins he had
separate meetings with Maj Gen Cross and Lt Gen Garner.
Minute Jay to Secretary of State [FCO], 24 April 2003, Iraq: Future Handling.
The Iraq Planning Unit was established on 10 February 2003, see Section 6.5.
167
Minute McDonald to PS/PUS [FCO], 28 April 2003, Iraq: Future Handling.
168
165
166
56
305. Maj Gen Cross told MrOBrien that Lt Gen Garners plan was to create four ORHA
regions, each with their own ORHA office.169 Denmark was already looking to lead the
southern office.
306. Lt Gen Garner asked MrOBrien if the UK would:
consider assuming responsibility for one of the four ORHA regions;
provide up to five UK military officers to act as the senior ORHA officials in a

number of Iraqs 18 Provinces.170
deploy expert staff to help with reconstruction at working level, ORHA already
had enough managers and administrators; and
307. On his way to Baghdad, MrOBrien met Air Marshal Brian Burridge, UK National
Contingent Commander, in Qatar.171
308. The British Embassys record of the meeting reported that AM Burridge had raised
concerns about DFID.
309. MrOBrien reported those concerns to MrStraw on 30 April.172 AM Burridge had
described DFID as a disgrace, a bloody disgrace. He had been frustrated by DFIDs
reaction to military action from the outset:
DFIDs officials had attended planning meetings, apparently under instructions
not to participate in discussions or make preparations for the humanitarian
consequences of military action. As a result, DFID was unprepared when military
action finally started. Since then they have been trying to catch up. Sometimes the
inadequacy of preparations was hampering rather than helping aid distribution in the
southern region. In Burridges view DFID needed to get involved and quickly. The
lack of co-operation with ORHA was of concern.
Reconstruction was the key area where DFID could be involved in a highly visible
way. But so far nothing seemed to be happening.
310. Copies of MrOBriens minute were sent to Sir Michael Jay, MrRicketts,
MrChaplin and Sir David Manning.
Telegram 41 FCO London to Doha, 30 April 2003, Central Iraq Conference: MrOBriens Discussions
with General Tim Cross.
170
Telegram 42 FCO London to Doha, 30 April 2003, Central Iraq Conference: MrOBriens Discussions
with Jay Garner.
171
Telegram 87 Doha to FCO London, 29 April 2003, Baghdad Conference: MrOBriens Call on Air
Marshall Burridge.
172
Minute OBrien to Foreign Secretary [Straw], 30 April 2003, MrOBriens Call on Air Marshall Burridge.
169
57
311. In his evidence to the Inquiry, Lord Boyce echoed AM Burridges criticism of
DFID.173 Lord Boyce described DFID as particularly un-co-operative, particularly as led
by Clare Short. He told the Inquiry:
you had people on the ground who were excellent operators for DFID, who
were told to sit in a tent and not do anything because thats the instruction they had
received and I actually met them.
312. Lord Boyce also told the Inquiry that the UK military had hoped DFID would be
showing up in force to work alongside Major General Robin Brims, General Officer
Commanding (GOC) 1 (UK) Div.174
313. In response to a question about the steps taken by the MOD to ensure that
sufficient civilian capacity would be available, Lord Boyce told the Inquiry:
I dont know is the short answer [T]his is an area where there was a
breakdown, because we didnt get the introduction of civilian aid in the way
that we actually expected it, and General Brims who did have a DFID officer in his
headquarters, and to whom I spoke on the ground in Iraq after the invasion or during
the invasion, was frustrated by the fact that the person was not getting the sort of
support from head office that they were expecting and I know that General Brims felt
equally frustrated.175
314. Gen Brims, who left Basra in May 2003, told the Inquiry that, although the DFID
adviser in his headquarters reported back to DFID as Phase IV began:
I didnt see a result coming back I dont think during my time in Basra I received
any UK finance to help the reconstruction at that stage. I think that the initial finance
to help the reconstruction all came from Baghdad, ie it was American or it was Iraqi
money from Baghdad coming down, for example, to pay policemen.176
315. Gen Brims said that what he really needed in his headquarters was a Consul
General and some people with experience of running large cities.177
316. Sir Suma Chakrabarti told the Inquiry that there had been absolutely no
instruction for anyone to sit in their tents and do nothing.178 He had spoken to the
DFID advisers concerned, who had said that they had not told anyone that they had
been instructed to sit in their tents and do nothing. Sir Suma suggested that Lord
Boyces criticism related to the poor personal relationship between Lord Boyce and
Clare Short.
Public hearing, 3 December 2009, page 105.

Public hearing, 27 January 2011, page 83.
175
176
177
Public hearing, 8 December 2009, pages 35-36.
178
173
174
58
317. On the wider question of the level of DFID advice to and support for the military,
Sir Suma told the Inquiry that the military were right to expect more DFID support than
they perhaps got in terms of civil military advisers in the field. Sir Suma suggested that:
If you open up the operational security barrier on planning earlier, you engage
more in joint planning earlier, I think the deployments would probably have
happened earlier.
318. On 1 May, MrOBrien sent MrStraw a report of his visit, describing ORHA as the
only game in town.179 MrOBrien was convinced that we either need to be fully involved
with supporting ORHA, or get the UN into Iraq. The former would be easier to achieve,
and the UK could provide much-needed support.
319. MrOBrien highlighted the need to deploy a senior UK official to ORHA
immediately to take an active role in policy formation.
320. MrOBrien also highlighted the need to strengthen the IPU:
In tandem we need to ensure that we give the IPU the necessary manpower
to be able to service ORHA properly. Too much is falling on Dominick Chilcotts
shoulders. He needs more support. Urgent policy decisions need to be taken at
Ministerial level.
321. In a statement to Parliament on 30 April, MrHoon announced that:
Decisive combat operations in Iraq are now complete, and Coalition Forces are
increasingly focusing upon stabilisation tasks. It will therefore be possible to make
further force level adjustments over the coming weeks while continuing to meet our
responsibilities to the Iraqi people.180
322. MrHoon concluded:
While details continue to be clarified, we envisage that by mid-May 25,000-30,000
UK Service personnel will remain deployed in the Gulf region, continuing to fulfil our
responsibilities towards the Iraqi people. The planned replacement of forces is clear
evidence of our commitment to them.
Our aim is to leave an Iraq that is confident, secure and fully integrated with
theinternational community. The planning process to establish the precise level
ofthe continuing UK presence needed to achieve this aim is a dynamic one, and
iskept under review. We will also need to take account of the contributions of
Coalition partners. We will continue to withdraw assets and personnel from the
region where possible, but we will maintain an appropriate military presence for
aslong as necessary.
179
180
Minute OBrien to Straw, 1 May 1003, Central Iraq Conference: Are We Properly Engaged?.
House of Commons, Official Report, 30 April 2003, column 15-16WS.
59
323. On 1 May, after consultations between MrStraw and MrPer Stig Mller, the
Danish Foreign Minister,181 the Danish Government announced the appointment of
MrOle Olsen, Danish Ambassador to Syria, as Head of ORHA(South) for a term of
six months.182
324. The Inquiry has seen no record of those consultations. The Cabinet Office update
for Ministers on 1 May stated only that the Danes had been told the UK was happy that
their candidate (Ole Olsen) should lead the office.183
325. Overnight on 1/2 May, the UK militarys AO was adjusted to be coterminous with
the boundaries of Basra and Maysan Provinces.184
326. On 2 May, Secretary Rumsfeld and MrHoon met at Heathrow, before the Defense
Secretary flew back to the US.185 MrHoon stressed the necessity for ORHA to make
tangible progress. Secretary Rumsfeld was reported to have:
played down expectations somewhat, and cautioned against waiting for a
fully formed organisation with a large pot of money. We should keep going
pragmatically and keep scratching round for contributions where they were available.
This could be done by the UK in their own area. Imposing order within the country
would take time; it would take effort to get the ministries up and running and the
people back to work.
327. On 2 May, MrStraws Private Secretary wrote to MrRycroft to propose that
MrJohn Sawers, then British Ambassador to Egypt, should be appointed as the
Prime Ministers Special Representative on Iraq to take the lead for the UK in guiding
the political processes leading to the establishment of an Iraqi Interim Authority.186
MrSawers appointment is addressed in Section 9.1.
Reconstruction strategy and funding

328. On 2 May, Ms Anna Bewes, Ms Shorts Principal Private Secretary, sent MrRycroft
an Interim DFID Strategy for the next three to six months as Iraq transitioned from
relief/recovery to reconstruction.187
329. Ms Bewes advised that, while the strategy covered tasks that principally fall to
DFID, there were strong inter-linkages with diplomatic and military activity. She stated
Minute Crompton to PS [FCO], 27 June 2003, Iraq: Ambassador Olsen.

BBC News, 1 May 2003, Dane to run southern Iraq.
183
Letter Drummond to Owen, 1 May 2003, Iraq: Report to Ministers attaching Paper Cabinet Office,
1 May 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers.
184
Report Burridge to CJO, 8 May 2003, NCC Op TELIC Hauldown Report.
185
Minute Williams to Policy Director [MOD], [undated], Visit of the US Secretary of Defense 2 May
2003.
186
Letter Owen to Rycroft, 2 May 2003, Iraq: Appointment of a Special Representative.
187
Letter Bewes to Rycroft, 2 May 2003, Iraq Rehabilitation attaching Paper DFID, [undated],
Iraq: Interim DFID Strategy.
181
182
60
that the Interim Strategy drew on the conclusions of the AHMGIR and discussions with
other departments and development agencies.
330. The Interim Strategy stated that the pledge made to the Iraqi people in the Vision
for Iraq and the Iraqi People issued at the Azores Summit would:
require a full, democratically elected government with control over a
unified and transparent budget, free from sanctions and integrated into the
international economy, pursuing a programme of sustainable economic growth and
poverty reduction.
DFIDs aim was:
to help Iraq reach its development potential, to secure a stable future where the
needs of the whole population are met equitably and sustainably.
331. The Interim Strategy stated that, while the expected humanitarian crisis had
not materialised, four immediate recovery tasks needed to be addressed in the next
three months:
getting public services running again, including by paying salaries;
meeting the needs of the vulnerable by maintaining the OFF food distribution
system beyond 3 June (with or without the OFF programme itself); and
re-establishing law and order, with Coalition support and using Iraqi civilian
police where available;
restoring public infrastructure, including power and water supplies and sanitation
and sewerage systems.
332. Drawing on DFIDs experience in other post-conflict and transition countries, and
given Iraqs characteristics as an oil-rich economy with a well-educated population, DFID
would consider support (but did not anticipate playing the leading role) in four areas:
economic management;
SSR;
public administration reform; and
the political transition process.
333. DFID would also help to ensure effective co-ordination of international

development assistance, including between ORHA, the IMF, the World Bank and
the UN.
334. During the six-month transitional period, DFID would need to establish a small,
temporary presence in Basra and a presence in Baghdad. Its presence thereafter
would be determined by emerging needs and the UKs relationship with the
Government of Iraq. Given Iraqs oil wealth and human capital, DFIDs engagement was
likely to be limited to about five years and focused on strategic technical assistance
61
inputs. That longer-term presence would be considered in a strategy review scheduled

for October 2003.
335. The Interim Strategy stated that DFID had earmarked 210m for relief, recovery
and reconstruction activities during 2003/04.188
336. Drawing on figures provided by DFID, the Inquiry calculates that DFID committed
117.8m to the humanitarian relief effort in the period up to May 2003, of which 89m
had been disbursed:
78m to UN agencies (64m disbursed);

32m to the ICRC and the Iraqi Red Crescent (18m disbursed);
6.2m to NGOs (5.4m disbursed); and
1.6m for DFIDs bilateral effort (all disbursed).189
337. Approximately 90m therefore remained available for recovery and reconstruction
and further contributions to the humanitarian relief effort.
338. The Inquiry has seen no indication of any assessment of whether that budget
for recovery and reconstruction was sufficient to achieve the UKs aspirations and
objectives.
339. US funding for reconstruction was of a different magnitude.
340. In April 2003, the US Congress approved US$2.4bn for the newly created Iraq
Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF1), to pay for humanitarian assistance and
rehabilitation and reconstruction in Iraq.190
341. Over 70 percent of the fund (US$1.82bn) was allocated to USAID. By early May,
USAID had awarded US$1.5bn in contracts for projects to restore infrastructure and
support initiatives for health, education, agriculture and economic reform. The largest
contract, worth US$680m, was secured by Bechtel to restore infrastructure.
Concerns over the scale of the reconstruction challenge and

ORHAsresponse
342. In early May, the UK Government became increasingly concerned about the scale
of the reconstruction challenge and the adequacy of the ORHA response, particularly in
the South.
Letter Bewes to Rycroft, 2 May 2003, Iraq Rehabilitation attaching Paper DFID, [undated],
Iraq: Interim DFID Strategy.
189
Letter Amos to Boateng, 10 September 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Funding: Reserve Claim;
Paper DFID, 4 November 2009, Iraq DFID Timeline and Financial Commitments: 2003-2009.
190
Office, 2009.
188
62
343. MrRycroft sent MrBlair the DFID Interim Strategy, MrOBriens and MrChilcotts
reports from Iraq, and an IPU update on ORHA on 2 May.191 MrRycroft commented:
ORHA is not yet up to the job. It has no effective management. There is no
clear understanding of who is making policy A State Department Ambassador,
Bremmer [sic], is due to take over from Jay Garner.
UK input remains insufficient. But Whitehall has at last got your message that we
need to send good people into all bits of ORHA
344. MrRycroft identified some immediate points for MrBlairs attention:
The FCO was appointing MrJohn Sawers to work in or very closely with
ORHA.
The UK would seek to persuade the US to keep ORHA for the short term, before
handing over to the IIA and a UN-led mission to support the IIA.
ORHA should get the Iraqi ministries operating again, and improve their media
work so that improvements in infrastructure are visible.
ORHA should develop a plan for SSR.
345. MrBlair indicated that he agreed with those points. He commented: I want to hear
from Tim Cross that his concerns are being met next week.192
346. MrRycroft informed the FCO on 6 May that MrBlair remained concerned that
ORHA lacked proper management, but welcomed the increase in UK support.193
MrRycroft asked for further advice by 9 May on the UKs contribution to ORHA, ORHAs
internal management and priorities, and an assessment of whether Maj Gen Crosss
concerns were now being met.
347. MrSawers arrived in Baghdad on 7 May.194
348. The FCO advised No.10 on 9 May that good progress had been made in stepping
up UK military and civilian support for ORHA.195 So far, 34 public sector volunteers had
completed pre-deployment training; 11 more would be trained the following week.
Afirst batch of 22 was scheduled to leave for Iraq on 13 May with a similar-sized group
to follow a week later. The key to ORHAs success would be achieving results with
the Iraqi ministries in Baghdad; support for that work would be the UKs main effort,
although it would also provide 10 secondees to ORHA(South). The FCO reported that
officials were in daily contact with Maj Gen Cross, who was content with the current
state of play.
Minute Rycroft to Prime Minister, 2 May 2003, Iraq: ORHA.

Manuscript comment Blair on Minute Rycroft to Prime Minister, 2 May 2003, Iraq: ORHA.
193
Letter Rycroft to Owen, 6 May 2003, Iraq: ORHA.
194
Telegram 2 IraqRep to FCO London, 11 May 2003, Personal: Iraq: Whats Going Wrong?.
195
Letter Owen to Rycroft, 9 May 2003, Iraq: ORHA.
191
192
63
349. The FCO also advised that ORHAs top priority was restore what is left of Iraqi
public administration, so that people can return to work and basic services can be
delivered once again.
350. MrBlair and President Bush spoke by telephone on 7 May on a broad range of
foreign policy issues.196 MrBlair commented that ORHA must grip the nuts and bolts
ofreconstruction, not just focus on politics.
351. On 9 May, the IPU informed MrStraws Private Office that it was now clear that
negotiations between the US and UK for an MOU covering ORHAs operations were
unlikely to succeed.197 The implications for the UK of that situation are addressed in
Section 9.1.
352. General Sir Mike Jackson, Chief of the General Staff (CGS), visited Iraq from
7 to 10 May. He reported his concerns about the pace of reconstruction, especially in
theSouth, to General Sir Michael Walker, Adm Boyces successor as CDS, on 13 May:
Despite recovering some of the essential public utilities to pre-war standards,
it is startlingly apparent that we are not delivering that which was deemed to be
promised and is expected 1 (UK) Armoured Div have formulated a sound plan
involving all the lines of operation and effect that are required to create a viable
state. However, they have reached the limit of their technical capabilities and
desperately need subject matter experts They have had an embedded DFID
representative since initial deployment who has made all the right requests for some
time, but no action follows This situation is compounded by a comprehensive
stripping of the public sector infrastructure, an inability to pay public sector
employees, a lack of NGO support and planning, and a complete lack of direction
and effective action from ORHA.198
353. Gen Jackson concluded:
We must release the financial, personnel and infrastructure resources to effect
a quicker delivery of reconstruction. If not we will lose the consent we have so
successfully achieved.
354. The Inquiry has seen no indication that the report was sent outside the MOD.
355. On 11 May, MrSawers reported:
Four days in Iraq has been enough to identify the main reasons why the
reconstruction of Iraq is so slow. The Coalition are widely welcomed, but are
gradually losing public support.
Letter Cannon to McDonald, 7 May 2003, US Foreign Policy Issues: Prime Ministers Conversation
with Bush, 7 May.
197
Minute Chatterton Dickson to FCO [junior official], 9 May 2003, Iraq: ORHA: MOU.
198
Minute CGS to CDS, 13 May 2003, CGS Visit to OP TELIC 7-10 May 2003.
196
64
Garners outfit, ORHA, is an unbelievable mess. No leadership, no strategy,

nocoordination, no structure, and inaccessible to ordinary Iraqis
I have not yet been out of the capital, but it is clear that Baghdad is the biggest
problem Baghdad has the worst security, a poor level of essential services,
and no information flow. I will recommend to Bremer a Baghdad First strategy. We
can afford some of the regions to languish. But failure in Baghdad would fatally
undermine our success in the conflict.199
356. MrSawers listed the main challenges:
There would be no progress until security improved.
With security and credible de-Baathification would come the chance for
durable reconstruction. Bechtel was moving far too slowly. It needed to
swamp Baghdad with engineers and skilled labour. Quick impact projects were
also needed to demonstrate that progress was being made. Those were not a
substitute for long-term development, but would meet genuine needs and were
apolitical requirement.
There needed to be a clear and credible de-Baathification policy. ORHA had

made mistakes by appointing quite senior Baath Party figures as their main
partners in the Trade and Health Ministries, and at Baghdad University.
The Coalition needed to do more to get out its messages.

Money needed to be found to pay public sector workers. US$740m in seized
Iraqi funds that could be used was held up in Washington.
357. Ambassador Paul Bremer arrived in Baghdad on 12 May, to take up post as

Headof the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).200 Lt Gen Garner was to leave Iraq
on1 June, at which point ORHA would be incorporated into the CPA.201
358. The names ORHA and CPA continued to be used interchangeably in documents
seen by the Inquiry for some time after Ambassador Bremers appointment.
359. Sir John Sawers told the Inquiry that, although he was the senior Brit on the
ground, he was not Ambassador Bremers deputy nor was he in the line management
chain of ORHA or the CPA.202 Rather, he was a representative of the UK Government
and so his role was one of exerting influence rather than exercising power.
Telegram 2 IraqRep to FCO London, 11 May 2003, Personal: Iraq: Whats Going Wrong?.
Telegram 5 IraqRep to FCO London, 12 May 2003, Bremers First Moves.
201
Telegram 027 Baghdad to London, 1 June 2003, Iraq: Coalition Provisional Authority.
202
Public hearing, 10 December 2009, pages 56 and 58.
199
200
65
360. On 12 May, Ms Short resigned from the Government. In her letter of resignation
toMrBlair she said that she thought the run-up to the conflict had been mishandled,
buthad agreed to stay to support the reconstruction effort.203 However:
the assurances you gave me about the need for a UN mandate to establish a
legitimate Iraqi government have been breached. The Security Council resolution
that you and Jack [Straw] have so secretly negotiated contradicts the assurances I
have given in the House of Commons and elsewhere about the legal authority of the
Occupying Powers, and the need for a UN-led process to establish a legitimate Iraqi
government. This makes my position impossible.
361. Ms Short was succeeded by Baroness Amos, who had previously been Minister of
State for International Development.
362. MrHilary Benn was appointed Minister of State.
363. Ms Shorts resignation and the MrBlairs response are addressed in more detail
inSection 9.1.
364. Baroness Amos attended the 15 May meeting of the AHMGIR.204
365. The Annotated Agenda for the AHMGIR meeting stated that UK forces in southern
Iraq generally enjoyed the goodwill of the local population and emerging political
leaders, but that a continued permissive environment and, in the medium term, the
withdrawal of UK forces depends in part on the local population receiving real benefits
from Coalition occupation.205 The scale of the reconstruction challenge was enormous.
Large projects would fall to ORHA and subsequently the Iraqi authorities. But there was
a case now for smaller refurbishment projects. ORHA had plans for such projects but
had been slow to implement them. In the meantime, given the relatively benign security
situation, UK forces have spare capacity to turn to reconstruction efforts.
366. The Annotated Agenda also stated that, of the 10m allocated to the UK military
for quick impact projects (QIPs), only 50,000 had been spent. Of the 30m allocated
to the UK military for humanitarian relief operations in the UKs AO, only 3m had been
committed and 1m spent. The remainder could be used for other purposes.
367. In discussion, MrBoateng agreed that the MOD could spend the balance of
the 10m allocated for QIPs, but said that other funds for reconstruction had been
allocated to DFID.206 The MOD and DFID needed to discuss the issue.
368. Baroness Amos said that ORHA needed some quick wins to establish its
reputation. DFID would put ideas to Ministers the following week.
Short C. An Honourable Deception: New Labour, Iraq and the Misuse of Power. The Free Press, 2004.
Minutes, 15 May 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
205
Annotated Agenda, 15 May, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
206
203
204
66
369. Ministers agreed that DFID should discuss with the MOD, the Permanent Joint
Headquarters (PJHQ), 1 (UK) Div, ORHA and the IPU measures to achieve a step
change in rehabilitation in the South, before discussing funding with the Treasury
andpresenting a plan to the AHMGIR on 22 May.
370. On 16 May, Ambassador Bremer issued CPA Regulation No.1.207 It stated:
The CPA shall exercise powers of government temporarily in order to provide for
the effective administration of Iraq during the period of transitional administration,
to restore conditions of security and stability, to create conditions in which the Iraqi
people can freely determine their own political future, including by advancing efforts
to restore and establish national and local institutions for representative governance
and facilitating economic recovery and sustainable reconstruction and development.
371. The DFID team in Basra sent DFID a stock-take of the situation in the South on
19 May.208 ORHA(South) was suffering from the lack of policy guidance, support and
specialist staffing from ORHA(Baghdad). Danish staff in ORHA(South) had received
US$500,000 from the Danish Government; that appeared to be all of ORHA(South)s
immediately accessible funding. ORHA(South) barely had enough staff to cover the
most urgent tasks, such as the payment of salaries; more support was required. There
was a risk that neglect by ORHA(South) in these initial months would allow alternative
structures to emerge.
372. The DFID team also reported that many military units had said that they did not
have the capacity to implement QIPs to the extent that they would like. 1 (UK) Div was
aware of the disconnect between their capacity and the need to implement 29m worth
of QIPs. The DFID team recommended that military capacity should be augmented.
373. Sir David Manning visited Baghdad and Basra for the first time from 20 to 21 May.
In his report to MrBlair, he echoed MrSawers assessment that Baghdad was key,
observing that Basra was way ahead of Baghdad. Joining the growing chorus of critics
of ORHA, Sir David described it as a shambles.209
374. Sir David described Ambassador Bremer as impressive. One way of helping him
would be to get DFID:
properly and energetically engaged. (There is a residue of bitterness about
their lack of involvement: they have committed few people and have apparently just
completed their third independent reconnaissance about security for staff before
deploying more people). Valerie [Amos] will make things change. I hope she will get
experts to ORHA very fast.
Coalition Provisional Authority, Regulation Number 1, 16 May 2003, The Coalition Provisional Authority.
Minute DFID [junior officials] to DFID [junior official], 19 May 2003, DFID Basrah: Issues Paper.
209
Letter Manning to Prime Minister, 22 May 2003, Iraq: Visit to Baghdad and Basra.
207
208
67
375. MrBlair replied: Send a note from me to Val[erie] asking for this.210
376. The Annotated Agenda for the 22 May meeting of the AHMGIR stated that
the arrival of Ambassador Bremer, who was working closely with MrSawers, had
made a significant impact on ORHAs efficiency, but not yet its performance on the
ground.211 Officials were close to agreeing with MrAndy Bearpark, UN Deputy Special
Representative in Kosovo, that he should succeed Maj Gen Cross, who was due to
leave ORHA in June. MrBearpark needed to be given the right job to maximise UK
influence in ORHA.
377. The Annotated Agenda also stated that 24 UK secondees had arrived in Iraq on
16 May, making a total of 61 UK secondees to ORHA. 11 of those were based in the
ORHA(South) office in Basra.
378. Ministers agreed that Maj Gen Cross should be replaced by a senior UK civilian
experienced in humanitarian and reconstruction work, placed in a senior position.212
379. MrBearpark was subsequently appointed CPA Director of Operations and
Infrastructure. He arrived in Baghdad on 16 June.
380. Section 9.2 describes how, although UK officials in Whitehall regarded MrBearpark
as the UKs senior representative in the CPA, MrBearpark saw his primary loyalty as
lying with the CPA and Ambassador Bremer.
381. The 22 May meeting of the AHMGIR also considered a joint DFID/MOD paper on
achieving a step change in reconstruction in the South, requested by the AHMGIR the
previous week.213
382. The paper, entitled Iraq: Rehabilitation in ORHA Region Lower South, defined the
UKs role in the South:
The ORHA Lower South sector will be closely associated with the UK. Although the
ORHA regional office is headed by a Dane the presence of a UK two-star regional
military headquarters will make the UKs role in the area pre-eminent. The UK will
have the greatest number of military personnel in the region and, as one of two initial
Occupying Powers, will be seen by other nations to have leading responsibility for
the Lower South Region. If there are difficulties in the Lower South region it will be
the UK (and, immediately, the UK military) that will have to face them first.214
383. The paper also set out the rationale for UK assistance. ORHAs mobilisation was
proceeding slowly, and the UK was concerned that its use of large enabling contracts
Manuscript comment Blair on Letter Manning to Prime Minister, 22 May 2003, Iraq: Visit to Baghdad
and Basra.
211
212
213
214
Paper MOD/DFID, May 2003, Iraq Rehabilitation in ORHA region lower south.
210
68
would not prove sufficiently flexible or responsive, although there were no realistic
options until the IFIs and World Bank engaged. Much of ORHAs funding had to come
through a US bureaucratic process which even senior members of the US Administration
described as frustratingly slow.
384. The paper stated:
It is in the UKs self-interest (quite aside from, although coincident with, the interests
of the Iraqis) that rehabilitation and reconstruction proceed smoothly and rapidly.
Without rapid and visible rehabilitation and reconstruction it is possible that there
will be an erosion of the consent to the presence of the Coalition Forces. This is a
particular concern to 1(UK) Div as reconstruction is off to a slow start
There is thus a near-term gap in the provision of rehabilitation and reconstruction

assistance to Iraq. Inasmuch as the UK is responsible for the Lower South Region,
the UK is responsible for filling that gap.
385. The paper concluded that the success of the Lower South ORHA office would
depend on UK direction and capacity in a manner analogous to ORHAs reliance on the
US, and that the UK required a plan to address immediate rehabilitation needs and to
encourage greater long-term investment and engagement in reconstruction activities.
The plan should comprise:
Support for the ORHA Lower South regional office, including help to draw
up an operational plan for rehabilitation, additional staff to help manage
projects, and running costs. The paper also proposed that the UK Government
should establish sufficient capability in the UK to manage its support for
rehabilitation; PJHQ would be able to offer advice to the FCO on how such a
team should be structured.
The reallocation of the 20m allocated to the military to support Internally
Displaced People (IDPs), to fund QIPs.
Funding for short, discrete projects to build the capacity of the Iraqi
administration capacity in key areas.
386. Ministers were invited to agree the concept described in the paper.
387. The Annotated Agenda for the AHMGIR meeting invited Ministers to agree that the
UK should step up the reconstruction effort in the southern military sector by:
in the short term, encouraging UK forces, with the assistance of DFID advisers,
to identify and implement QIPs;
over the next month, building the capacity of ORHA(South) to identify and
implement reconstruction projects, including by seconding additional staff where
necessary and developing an operational reconstruction plan;
69
tasking the MOD and DFID to discuss funding their plan with the Treasury,
if necessary;
encouraging international partners to support the regional reconstruction
plan; and
encouraging ORHA to accelerate its reconstruction efforts, including by
devolving parts of its budget to its regional offices.215
388. The AHMGIR agreed those recommendations.216

389. A costed plan for rehabilitation in the South was submitted to the AHMGIR on
12June.
390. On 23 May, MrMalik briefed Baroness Amoss Office on recent negative reporting
on DFIDs role in southern Iraq.217 Much of this appeared to have been inspired by UK
military personnel in Iraq or Doha, although direct feedback from the UK military was
that DFIDs support was highly valued.
391. MrMalik commented:
There is some frustration amongst military personnel in Basra that they have not
been able to hand over the post conflict effort to civilian agencies quickly enough.
However, to a large extent this reflects the security environment and the failure of
ORHA to deliver. Over the coming days we will be reinforcing advisory support to the
military and ORHA, and will be assessing what more we can do.
392. MrMalik recommended that Baroness Amos speak to MrHoon before MrBlairs
visit to Iraq at the end of the month.
Resolution 1483
393. United Nations Security Council resolution 1483 (2003) was adopted on 22 May.218
394. The resolution confirmed that the UN would not have the lead responsibility for the
administration and reconstruction of Iraq, which would fall to the CPA. There would be a
role for the UN, exercised through a Special Representative to the Secretary-General.219

217
Minute Malik to Private Secretary [DFID], 23 May 2003, Iraq: DFID Reputation in Southern Iraq.
218
UN, Press Release SC/7765, 22 May 2003, Security Council lifts sanctions on Iraq, approves UN role,
calls for appointment of Secretary-Generals Special Representative.
219
215
216
70
Resolution 1483 (2003), 22 May 2003

The provisions of resolution 1483 are described in detail in Section 9.1.
In addressing reconstruction, the resolution:
requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative for Iraq, with a

co-ordinating role focused on reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, reporting
regularly to the UN;
supported the formation, by the people of Iraq with the help of the Authority
and working with the Special Representative, of an Iraqi interim administration
as a transitional administration run by Iraqis, until an internationally recognized,
representative government is established by the people of Iraq and assumes the
responsibilities of the Authority;
lifted all sanctions on Iraq except those related to arms;
noted that disbursements from the DFI would be at the direction of the Authority,
inconsultation with the interim Iraqi administration;
underlined that the DFI should be used in a transparent manner to meet the
humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people, for the economic reconstruction and repair of
Iraqs infrastructure, for the continued disarmament of Iraq, and for the costs of Iraqi
civilian administration, and for other purposes benefiting the people of Iraq;
requested the UN Secretary-General to continue operation of the OFF for up to six

months from 22 May;
decided that all export sales of Iraqi petroleum, petroleum products, and natural
gas should be made consistent with prevailing international market best practices,
and that 95 percent of the revenue should be deposited into the DFI (with 5 percent
deposited into the UN Compensation Fund for victims of Saddam Husseins 1990
invasion of Kuwait).220
noted the establishment of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), which would be
audited by independent public accountants approved by an International Advisory and
Monitoring Board (IAMB) comprising representatives of the UN Secretary-General, the
IMF, the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, and the World Bank;
Section 10.3 describes in more detail the negotiations between the US and the UK over
who should control disbursements from the DFI, which would hold Iraqi oil revenues and
other funds.
395. On 27 May, MrKofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, named MrSrgio Vieira de

Mello as his Special Representative to lead the United Nations effort in Iraq for the next
four months.221
396. MrVieira de Mello arrived in Iraq on 2 June.222
UN Security Council Resolution 1483 (2003).

UN, Press Release, 27 May 2003, Transcript of Press Conference by Secretary-General Kofi Annan
and Special Representative for Iraq, Srgio Vieira de Mello, 27 May.
222
Letter Straw to Blair, 5 June 2003, Iraq: Winning the Peace attaching Briefing FCO/UND, Role of the
UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative in Iraq.
220
221
71
397. Sir Suma Chakrabarti told the Inquiry that Ms Shorts resignation, the exchanges
within the UK Government that had preceded it, and the adoption of resolution 1483 led
to a significant shift in DFIDs attitude to ORHA:
we [DFID] didnt think ORHA would be actually the lead in terms of post-conflict
work. We thought the UN would take that role on. The UN was geared up to do so,
putting more staff into Iraq at the time
The penny dropped that ORHA was going to be the only game in town when
1483 was passed. It probably dropped actually with Clare Shorts resignation
because it was at that point we realised that perhaps there wasnt a shared
objective on UN leadership in the British Government because the Prime Ministers
conversation with Clare Short made that clear. From that point on, we had to try and
make ORHA work better whether we liked it or not.223
The return to a war footing, June 2003

398. MrBlair visited Basra and Umm Qasr on 29 May. DFID, the FCO and the MOD
provided separate briefings for the visit.
399. DFID advised that the humanitarian situation was improving steadily, although
security remained a key concern.224 Without security, it would be difficult to achieve
progress in other areas. In many parts of Iraq, water and power services were almost at
pre-conflict levels. Looking ahead, rebuilding Iraqi public institutions would be the main
challenge. ORHA had a central role to play; DFID had stepped up its staff support for
ORHA in Baghdad and Basra and was looking at additional areas to support.
400. The FCO advised that Ambassador Bremers arrival had yet to translate into
improvements on the ground.225 The UK now had 61 secondees in ORHA (including in
Basra), most of whom were working with Iraqi ministries.
401. Success in ORHA(South) was crucial to achieving UK national objectives in Iraq.
The UK had provided a Deputy to Ambassador Olsen and 10 other secondees, and
planned to further reinforce ORHA(South) by:
providing more secondees;

providing an operational plan compatible with ORHAs national plan; and
encouraging ORHA(Baghdad) to accelerate reconstruction efforts by delegating
more of its budget to regional offices.

Letter Bewes to Cannon, [undated], Iraq Humanitarian Update.
225
Letter Sinclair to Cannon, 27 May 2003, Prime Ministers Visit to Iraq.
223
224
72
402. The MOD provided, as part of a larger briefing pack, briefs on Reconstruction
and the UN and humanitarian assistance.226 The briefing on humanitarian assistance
reported that there was no humanitarian crisis in southern Iraq:
Food, water, power and other essentials are available in towns across the UKs
Area of Operations. Our priority is the provision of a safe and secure environment.
UK forces will continue to deliver emergency relief where it is needed, and where
they are able to do. However, as the security situation stabilises enough for civilian aid
agencies to fully deploy, we are rightly handing some responsibilities over to them.
403. Mr Nicholas Cannon, Mr Blairs Assistant Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
passed the briefings to MrBlair on 27 May, with the comment: you may encounter
whinging [in Iraq] about electricity and water supplies (the military are clear that these
are already better than pre-conflict levels) and about the law and order situation.227
404. MrBlair met Ambassador Bremer in Basra on 29 May.228 Ambassador Bremer
told MrBlair that the first phase of the CPAs work would involve demonstrating that
Saddam Husseins regime had definitively disappeared, by delivering improvements in
basic services (which were already mostly up to pre-conflict levels) and maintaining law
and order. The second phase would include the revival of the economy, the first stage
of establishing a free Iraqi Government, and the revival of civil society. Ambassador
Bremers target economic end state was a liberal, open market economy.
405. MrBlair asked about resources. Ambassador Bremer confirmed that he had no
resource constraints; the CPA had between US$4bn and US$5bn available to spend.
406. Ambassador Bremer discussed the inadequacy of ORHAs strategic
communications in a separate meeting with MrAlastair Campbell, MrBlairs Director
of Communications and Strategy.229 MrCampbell suggested that MrJohn Buck, Head
of the UKs Communication and Information Centre (CIC), who was due to arrive in
Iraq shortly, should take on the task of drawing up a strategic communications plan.
Ambassador Bremer agreed.
407. MrBuck described the situation he faced on his arrival in Iraq in his evidence
totheInquiry:
there was no coherent communications operation. The US Army were doing one
thing. The British Army were doing another. The CPA were doing another. My task
largely focused on actually bringing these people together into one unit.230
Letter Watkins to Cannon, 27 May 2003, Prime Ministers Visit to Iraq attaching Briefing, [undated],
Prime Ministers Visit to Iraq: 29 May 2003.
227
Minute Cannon to Blair, 27 May 2003, Visit to Iraq, 29 May.
228
Letter Cannon to Owen, 29 May 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting with Bremer, 29 May.
229
Minute Campbell to Sawers, 29 May 2003, Meeting with Ambassador Bremer.
230
Public hearing, 31 January 2011, pages 100-101.
226
73
408. A Cabinet Office update for Ministers on 29 May reported that (unspecified) recent
initiatives by Ambassador Bremer and the DoD underlined the need to press the US
to consult more systematically with the UK.231 The UK was having some success at
influencing US thinking, including through MrSawers, the British Embassy Washington,
an FCO Legal Adviser seconded to the CPA, and regular contacts between US and UK
lawyers (in the last few days, those contacts had persuaded the US to drop the death
penalty from a CPA Penal Order), but consultation remained haphazard. Ministers
should be prepared for further abrupt changes in US policy.
409. MrSawers reported by telegram on 1 June:
ORHA is no more, replaced by the Coalition Provision Authority
Jay Garner departed on 1 June ORHA, with its reputation as a failure, is being
buried with him. Bremers brisk management style and additional powers have
enabled him to impose a new structure with a new name that should lead to a more
coherent approach to re-building Iraq.232
410. MrSawers advised that MrAndy Bearpark would be the CPAs Director of
Operations, with: Across the board responsibility for policy implementation, leading on
top priority tasks, managing the CPAs regional structure, and operational co-ordination
with the UN. MrBearpark arrived in Baghdad on 16 June; his role is considered later in
this Section.
411. Hard Lessons recorded that ORHA had 600 staff when it was absorbed by the CPA
during May.233 That fell far short of what it [the CPA] needed to manage its burgeoning
relief and reconstruction program.
412. Also on 1 June, the Deputy to Ambassador Olsen in ORHA(South), a UK official,
sent two reports to MrChilcott. The first offered her first impressions:
Office infrastructure was (and still is) virtually non-existent, living conditions
were (and still are) pretty miserable
ORHA(South) had no operating budget and was running, sparsely, on funding
from the Danish Foreign Ministry and Ambassador Olsens own bank account.
ORHA(South) had no security guards or caterers, and had been forbidden
from contracting them directly. UK pressure on ORHA(Baghdad) to provide that
support would be appreciated.
ORHA(South) had 21 staff (eight UK civilians, five UK military officers, five
Danish civilians, two US military officers, and one Japanese civilian). Additional
staff were arriving in trickles but were predominately military officers and had
Paper Cabinet Office, 29 May 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers.

Telegram 27 IraqRep to FCO London, 1 June 2003, Iraq: Coalition Provisional Authority.
233
Office, 2009.
231
232
74
been directed to ORHA(South) by 1(UK) Div and Maj Gen Cross. Those officers
were useful as stopgaps, but ORHA(Baghdad) needed to provide expert staff.
ORHA(Baghdad) was dysfunctional and totally pre-occupied with Baghdad.
There had been no attempt to engage with ORHA(South), including on policy
issues. Communication was virtually non-existent (it remained impossible to
telephone anyone in Baghdad).
Ambassador Olsen was very unhappy with the seeming indifference of
ORHA(Baghdad) and the lack of resources. It was not out of the question that
he would leave if things did not improve.
ORHA(South)s concept of operations was to work jointly with the military
and, once it had built its knowledge base and secured the necessary resources,
to move into the lead allowing the military to focus on security and their
exit strategy. That would not happen until ORHA(South) had considerably
more people.234
413. Her second report provided an assessment of ORHA(South)s staffing

requirement.235 Additional support was required in 15 areas; in most of those, three or
four specialists would be required to make a discernible difference across the region.
The areas included: electricity; water and sewerage; infrastructure/reconstruction; the
judiciary; human rights; gender issues; the economy (two DFID advisers were due to
arrive in Basra shortly); political analysis; and the media.
414. ORHA(South) itself needed an office manager, a logistics manager, a finance
officer, an information manager and security staff (both for the office and to enable
moves outside Basra).
415. After returning to the UK, MrBlair sent a personal Note to President Bush.236
MrBlair wrote:
I met Jerry Bremer and others in Iraq. He is very impressive, got a real grip and is
doing a great job. But the task is absolutely awesome and Im not at all sure were
geared for it. This is worse than re-building a country from scratch.
We start from a really backward position. In time, it can be sorted. But time counts
against us
416. MrBlair went on to suggest that:
Security in Baghdad had to be dealt with at once.

Bechtel needs to move far more quickly in letting contracts for infrastructure
reconstruction patching up wont do.
Minute UK [junior official] to Chilcott, 1 June 2003, ORHA South First Impressions.
Minute UK [junior official] to Chilcott, 1 June 2003, Additional Staffing Requirements for ORHA South.
236
Letter Manning to McDonald, 2 June 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Note attaching Note [Blair to Bush],
[undated], Note.
234
235
75
The Coalitions communications strategy had to be put on a more energetic

footing.
The CPA needed greater administrative capacity. MrBlair proposed a small
US/UK team with one of our people from our own circle to act as a rapid
conduit to President Bush and himself, enabling them to clear the bureaucratic
obstacles immediately.
417. MrBlair concluded his Note by stating that he would be going back to almost
awar footing in order to ensure focus on issues in Iraq.
418. MrBlair and President Bush discussed Iraq over breakfast on 2 June.237 MrBlair
emphasised the huge scale of the reconstruction task. Saddam Hussein had left an
appalling legacy and reduced a potentially rich country to third world levels of poverty.
Ambassador Bremer was being asked to take on a shattered country with decrepit
infrastructure and a population that had developed a dependency culture. That was
avery tall order. He should be given whatever he wanted for capacity building.
419. MrBlair also argued that a clear political vision and timetable was needed, together
with a media strategy to avoid a dangerous information vacuum.
420. On 3 June, MrBlair chaired a meeting on Iraq attended by MrHoon, Baroness
Amos, Sir Michael Jay (in MrStraws absence) and No.10 officials.238 MrBlair said that
he had returned from Iraq convinced that an enormous amount needed to be done.
He told the meeting:
The CPA lacked grip and organisation, rather than money or staff.
There should be a strong civilian team in the South.
The UK should beef up its involvement in the CPA.

There should be a White House/No.10 team to work alongside MrSawers and
Ambassador Bremer.
The CPA and US decision-making processes were too slow. Contracts needed
to be processed faster.
British companies needed to be energised to take up opportunities in Iraq.
421. MrBlair also said that he believed that Whitehall should go back to a war footing
for the next two to three months to avoid losing the peace in Iraq.
422. Following the meeting, MrCannon commissioned a number of papers to be
ready before a further meeting on 6 June. Those included a list of 10 to 15 outstanding,
practical issues for MrBlair to raise with President Bush that would make a big
Letter Manning to McDonald, 2 June 2003, Breakfast Meeting Between The Prime Minister and
President Bush: 2 June 2003.
238
Letter Cannon to McDonald, 3 June 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting, 3 June.
237
76
difference to the people of Iraq if they are resolved, and advice on how to improve the
Iraqi media.
423. MrRycroft subsequently told MrChilcott, who had been tasked to produce that list
of outstanding practical issues, that MrBlair was looking for some really big ticket items
to push, along the lines of:
1. Get x people in to sort out the police.
2. Move y US forces from a to b to improve security.
3. Get Bechtel to build by X date a new power station in place y.
4. Ask x big figure person to go to Iraq to sort out the TV.
5. currency.
6. CPA internal.
7. setting up IIA.
8. Basra give CPA Basra $x million, and etc etc.239
424. MrRycroft added that MrBlair did not need lots of analysis of whats going wrong
he knows that. He needed things that are concrete and ambitious enough so that
if/when they happen they really transform the place.
425. MrChilcott replied that he could not produce a serious paper with the specific
detail requested:
To offer advice on where to build big infrastructure projects requires a lot more
knowledge than we have in the IPU about local conditions and some sense of
an overall development plan for Iraq something the World Bank will presumably
draw up once they have got themselves engaged. These judgements will have to
becarefully considered by development experts.
In my view, the two most important things the PM should raise with the President
now are (a) security and (b) the functioning of the CPA. Until these are solved, there
is little chance of any infrastructure work making much impact.240
426. Baroness Amos saw MrBlairs direction as an opportunity for a substantive
reassessment of DFIDs engagement on reconstruction in Iraq.
427. Baroness Amos gave MrBenn and MrChakrabarti a read out from MrBlairs
3 June meeting later that day.241 She reported that MrBlair had made a number of
specific proposals:
There was a lack of administrative capacity in the CPA. The UK should increase
its support for it.
Email Rycroft to Chilcott, 4 June 2003, Draft Paper for the PM.
Email Chilcott to Rycroft, 4 June 2003, Draft Paper for PM.
241
Minute Bewes to DFID [junior official], 3 June 2003, PM Iraq Meeting.
239
240
77
There should be a process to identify and resolve logjams.

The UK needed urgently to think through:
{{ what
are the key priorities? (Infrastructure? Water? Power?)
{{ what
are the blockages?
{{ therefore,
what needs to be done by whom and when? What large scale

projects were needed?
{{ and
how much will that cost?
{{ We
should think big e.g., if a new power station was needed, identify
where, how big, how much it would cost and let the contracts asap.
428. Baroness Amos commented that the Prime Ministers thinking seemed to be that
the UK would put in the people; US the money, and that he did not seem to accept that
President Bush might not be able to produce immediate funding.
429. Baroness Amos stated that DFID should think carefully but urgently about the
concerns and proposals presented by MrBlair. DFID should not simply reflect back
MrBlairs proposals, if those were not exactly what were needed. This could be a very
good opportunity to address (unspecified) difficult issues.
430. Baroness Amos added that she did not believe that the main problem with the CPA
was a lack of people, or that it could be solved by putting more people in. It was more
likely to be a lack of strategic thinking.
431. Baroness Amos also reported that, after the meeting with MrBlair, she had agreed
with MrHoon and Sir Michael Jay that a cross-departmental paper should be produced
for the next meeting of the AHMGIR, addressing the points raised by MrBlair.
432. Later on 3 June, Baroness Amos sent MrBlair a report on her visit to Washington
and New York the previous week.242 She reported that:
US inter-agency conflicts are making for bad policy on Iraq, with negligible
coordination and a potentially dangerous lack of leadership. There is no strategic
direction, and no sense of what the US wants to achieve.
433. The solution was for the UK to set out a clear vision for Phase IV, sell it to
President Bush (and hence Rumsfeld) and use it to build alliances beyond the Coalition.
434. Baroness Amos also reported that the World Bank and the IMF had started work
on a reconstruction needs assessment. Work was Washington-based, but experts were
ready to visit Iraq as soon as the security situation permits.
435. Baroness Amos confirmed that she would visit Iraq shortly. To maintain the
momentum on Iraq, she planned that MrBenn would visit in July and MrChakrabarti
inSeptember.
242
Letter Amos to Blair, 3 June 2003, Iraq Reconstruction: Next Steps.
78
436. A draft version of the list of 10 to 15 outstanding, practical issues requested by

MrBlair on 3 June, produced by the IPU, was considered by the 5 June meeting of the
AHMGIR, chaired by MrStraw.243
437. MrStraw wrote to MrBlair later that day:
We [the AHMGIR] fully shared your view that an enormous amount of work remains
to be done. We were concerned that the US was not showing the same energy,
focus and drive in the reconstruction effort that they did in the military campaign.
Colleagues also felt strongly that the US must not be allowed to take UK support
for granted. Otherwise, as the US ultimately called the shots, we risked being
caught in a position of sharing responsibility for events in Iraq without holding the
corresponding power to influence them. In that context, the Treasury expressed
worries about the provisional arrangements for disbursing oil revenues from the
Development Fund for Iraq 244
438. MrStraw attached a revised IPU paper, which he described as setting out what
needs to be done to make reconstruction work, containing ideas which would make a big
difference to the people of Iraq. He highlighted the importance of preventing looting and
criminality and turning the CPA into an efficient, functioning organisation, adding:
Unless we put these two foundation stones in place, reconstruction will continue
to falter.
439. The IPU paper, entitled Iraq Reconstruction: 30 Day Priorities, stated that the US
and UK needed:
a clear, coherent strategic plan;

a timetable for delivering it; and
regular contact between MrBlair, President Bush and Ambassador Bremer
toreview progress and agree next steps.
440. The IPU proposed some specific targets we [the US and UK] should now set
ourselves, for delivery within 30 days, in six areas:
1. Restore security
2. Agree and implement a strategic plan for the CPA
a)Agree specific targets for reconstruction direct with Bremer, and agree the
resources needed to deliver them. And then let him get on with his job.
Minutes, 5 June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Letter Straw to Blair, 5 June 2003, Iraq: Winning the Peace attaching Paper IPU, 5 June 2003,
Iraq Reconstruction: 30 Day Priorities, 5 July 2003.
243
244
79
c)Give Bremer and the CPA the means to do their job the right people with the
right skills
d)Make the regional network of CPA offices function with access to funds, good
communications, inputs into central policy making
3. A clear, transparent Coalition decision-making process
b) Development Fund for Iraq: we must get the decision-making right. We
are jointly responsible for this, legally and politically Need transparent and
accountable mechanisms for setting Iraqs budget, priorities for expenditure, and
procedures for disbursement not just post facto auditing.
4. Power, water and sewage
Repairs to essential infrastructure, and provision of essential services, must
be top of CPAs agenda. We need to speed up decision-making process and
awarding of sub-contracts
5. Restoring normal economic life
6. Security sector reform
441. In the paper, the IPU did not consider the resources that would be required to
achieve those targets or the particular role of the UK.
442. MrStraw also attached a list of projects which urgently need to be taken forward
in and around Basra, and commented that he, Baroness Amos and MrHoon were
keen to get cracking on them.
443. MrStraws letter was copied to Baroness Amos, MrHoon and other Ministers.
444. The Inquiry has seen no indications that a paper on the Iraqi media was produced
for MrBlair (as No.10 had requested on 3 June). The IPU paper listing 30-day priorities
identified the need to communicate to the Iraqi population what we have already done
and what we are trying to achieve, but did not recommend any associated actions.
445. On the same day, MrStraw sent a personal letter to MrBlair asking him to raise
anumber of points very forcefully with President Bush, including:
Contracts: As you know, the US are completely ruthless on favouring US
companies, and will not help UK companies unless you play hardball with Bush.245
446. MrStraw offered as an example of this behaviour, a Bechtel sub-contract to install
170 megawatts (MW) of power capacity in Baghdad. Siemens UK had almost secured
that contract, but it had now gone cold.
245
Minute Straw to Blair, 5 June 2003, Iraq.
80
447. The Governments support for UK businesses is described in Section 10.3.

448. MrRycroft passed the IPU paper and the list of projects in Basra to MrBlair on
5 June, under a minute which suggested the set of big picture but concrete points that
might come out of MrBlairs meeting with MrStraw, MrHoon and Baroness Amos the
following day and which could then be put to President Bush.246 The minute was copied
only within No.10. The points were:
a. Security. This is the top priority
b. Sort out the CPAs Organisation. The only way to get round the problem is for
you to raise directly with Bush.
{{ Install
proper phones and IT.
{{ Delegate
{{ Sort
more decision-making to the CPA, to avoid wrangling.
out the communications strategy.
c. Infrastructure projects. This is where we will be judged by ordinary Iraqis.

{{ Get
Bechtel to conclude their sub-contract with Siemens UK asap, so

Siemens can help restore power capacity.
{{ Set
up the national phone network.
{{ Get
UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] and UNICEF to sort

out the power and water supplies.
d. Restoring normal life.

{{ Sort
out the currency.
{{ Open
the airports to civil flights.
{{ Appoint
{{ Press
x to sort out the Iraqi media.
on with security sector reform.
e. Basra: see separate list of things we can do in our own area

f. US/UK contacts. Since we share legal responsibility as Occupying Powers,
we (the UK) may also at times need to have a veto over CPA decisions
449. MrBlair held a further meeting on Iraq on 6 June, to agree the points to put to
President Bush.247 It was attended by MrStraw and Gen Walker, as well as those who
had been present on 3 June.
246
247
Minute Rycroft to Prime Minister, 5 June 2003, Iraq: Meeting at 0800 on Friday.
Letter Cannon to McDonald, 6 June 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting 6th June.
81
450. MrCannon reported the main points from the meeting to MrMcDonald. The
meeting had identified over-zealous de-Baathification and the CPAs failure to provide
funding for the South as causes of insecurity there. It had agreed that:
MrBlair should tell President Bush that the UK needed the decision-making
process on a different footing, so that problems are rapidly referred to the
highest level and obstacles short-cut.
MrBlair should write to Ambassador Bremer listing specific projects in the Basra
area needing immediate CPA funding.
Baroness Amos would visit the UK sector to enhance DFID operations.
Ms Hewitt should try to visit Iraq to promote the involvement of UK business.
451. MrBlair spoke to President Bush later that day.248 In his report to MrMcDonald
of the conversation, MrCannon wrote that MrBlair had said his main concern was
administration; Ambassador Bremer needed to be able to break through the bureaucratic
obstacles that he faced.
452. MrBlair raised the difficulty Ambassador Bremer was having accessing the funding
he needed. UK projects in Basra had been affected. MrBlair said that he would write to
both Ambassador Bremer and President Bush setting out those projects.
453. MrBlair raised delays in Bechtels operations, including unnecessary delays in
agreeing a contract for Siemens UK. The US was chasing Bechtel.
454. MrBlair also raised the need for action on replacing Iraqs currency.
455. The Inquiry has seen no indications that MrBlair wrote to Ambassador Bremer and
President Bush, listing the projects requiring immediate CPA funding.
456. The Annotated Agenda for the 11 June meeting of the AHMGIR stated that the
list of projects which urgently need to be taken forward in and around Basra, which
MrStraw had sent to MrBlair on 5 June, would for the most part be implemented as
quick impact projects, once additional engineering staff are in place (DFID is undertaking
urgent recruitment).249
457. The Cabinet Office produced a draft proposal for a new, DFID-led Iraq
Rehabilitation Operations Group (IROG) on 10 June.250 The Cabinet Office proposal
stated that, while current administrative structures were satisfactory and worth keeping,
now that the UK was moving into an increasingly operational phase they were no
longer sufficient. DFID should lead a new Group with a remit to oversee:
priorities for expenditure from the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI), including the
process of reaching decisions on such expenditures;
Letter Cannon to McDonald, 6 June 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Conversation with Bush, 6th June.
Annotated Agenda, 12 June 2003 Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
250
Minute Bowen to DFID, 10 June 2003, Iraq: Management Arrangements.
248
249
82
co-ordination of UN, IFI, NGO, ICRC and CPA operational activity;

implementation of UK-funded reconstruction projects; and
preparation of regular progress reports to the AHMGIR.
458. The IPU would continue to have responsibility for administering UK secondments
to the CPA and for SSR.
459. DFID sought the FCOs agreement to the draft proposal.251 An IPU official advised
MrStraws Private Secretary that, while there was a good case for setting up a DFID-led
Group to co-ordinate and implement development activity in Iraq, the proposal as drafted
risked fragmenting UK policy-making. It should explicitly state that the IPU remained the
policy lead for CPA issues as a whole (and not just for administering UK secondments
and SSR).
460. Sir Michael Jay agreed with that advice.252
461. MrStraw agreed that DFID should set up the IROG but, to ensure a coherent UK
interface with the CPA, stated that it should report to the AHMGIR through the IPU.253
462. The DFID-led IROG met for the first time on 15 June.254 The first IROG Action Plan
would be put to the AHMGIR on 3 July.
Advice on the UKs responsibilities as an Occupying Power

463. A paper on the management of the DFI was submitted to the 5 June meeting of the
AHMGIR (chaired by MrStraw).255
464. The paper stated that while resolution 1483 made the UK jointly responsible (with
the US) for disbursements from the DFI, it contained little detail on how the DFI should
be managed. The UK needed to settle that issue quickly with the US; spending decisions
could start being made in the next few weeks. The management arrangements needed
to meet the UKs objectives in terms of transparency and accountability; in particular, the
arrangements needed to meet the commitments in the resolution to use resources in the
DFI in a transparent manner and to ensure that oil sales were made consistent with
international best practice.
465. The Annotated Agenda stated that the CPA had circulated a draft regulation which
gave the US Administration sole oversight over DFI spending.256 Such an arrangement
Minute IPU [junior official] to PS/Straw, 11 June 2003, Iraq: Management Arrangements.
Manuscript comment Jay on Minute IPU [junior official] to PS/Straw, 11 June 2003, Iraq: Management
Arrangements.
253
Minute Owen to IPU [junior official], 13 June 2003, Iraq: Management Arrangements.
254
Minute Dodd to Manning, 18 June 2003, Iraq: Rehabilitation.
255
Annotated Agenda, 5 June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper,
[undated], Implications of and Modalities for the Development Fund for Iraq.
256
Annotated Agenda, 5 June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
251
252
83
would marginalise UK influence and risk presentational problems, but was not settled US
policy. The UK was lobbying in Washington and Baghdad to amend the draft regulation.
466. MrJon Cunliffe, Treasury Managing Director for Macroeconomic Policy and
International Finance, advised MrBrown the following day that resolution 1483 made
the US and UK jointly responsible, as Occupying Powers, for governing Iraq including,
specifically, for disbursements from the DFI.257 The resolution changed the basis
on which the UK engaged with the US, but the current framework for making and
implementing decisions did not reflect that. As far as economic and financial policy was
concerned, it was a mess because:
It was not clear what decisions Ambassador Bremer could take without approval
from Washington.
Ambassador Bremer reported to Secretary Rumsfeld; there was no clear
framework in Washington for involving other US departments.
The UK had no clear involvement in decision-making; what UK-US consultation
there was tended to be between No.10 and the White House.
467. MrCunliffe suggested that this mattered because:
The UK had responsibility without power. If money was wasted on a large scale,
or there was an economic policy failure, or the CPA acted in a way that cut
across its mandate under resolution 1483, the UK would be accountable.
The Treasury had no way to ensure that the right economic and financial policies
for Iraq were pursued. Attempts to give the IMF and World Bank a direct role in
the use of the DFI had failed.
468. MrCunliffe reported that he had raised his concerns at the AHMGIR meeting
the previous day; MrStraw and Baroness Amos had been sympathetic. MrCunliffe
understood that No.10 was considering proposing a joint White House/No.10 group,
towhich the CPA would report.
469. On 9 June, Ms Cathy Adams from the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers sent
a reply to a letter of 21 May from FCO Legal Advisers seeking advice on resolution
1483.258 The advice relating to the formation of a representative government is described
in Section 9.2.
470. Ms Adams advised that the resolution clarified the legitimate scope of activity of
the Occupying Powers and authorised them to undertake actions for the reform and
reconstruction of Iraq going beyond the limitations of Geneva Convention IV and the
Hague Regulations. In some cases, such actions had to be carried out in co-ordination
Minute Cunliffe to Chancellor, 6 June 2003, Iraq Reconstruction.

Letter Adams to Llewellyn, 9 June 2003, Iraq: Effect of Security Council Resolution 1483 on the
Authority of the Occupying Powers.
257
258
84
with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) or in consultation with

the Iraqi interim administration.
471. Particular actions that the resolution appeared to mandate were:
promoting economic reconstruction and the conditions for sustainable

development;
promoting human rights; and
encouraging international efforts to promote legal and judicial reform.
472. To the extent that such actions were not otherwise authorised elsewhere in the
resolution or under occupation law, then there was a clear requirement to act only in
co-ordination with the SRSG.
473. Ms Adams also advised that the resolution clearly imposed joint US/UK
responsibility for disbursements from the DFI, and that it was therefore important to
ensure that the US Government did not take actions in relation to the DFI which were
incompatible with the resolution. She continued:
The fact that the resolution imposes joint responsibility gives the UK a locus to
argue with the US that we should be fully involved in the decision-taking process.
Anything less would be legally risky.
474. Ms Adams concluded that the resolution did not grant the Coalition full legislative
and executive authority in Iraq, so there was still a need to consider the legality
of specific proposals against the requirements of occupation law and the terms of
the resolution.
475. The following day, 10 June, the CPA issued a regulation that gave Ambassador
Bremer, as Administrator of the CPA, authority to oversee and control the
establishment, administration and use of the DFI and to direct disbursements from
theDFI for those purposes he determines to be for the benefit of the Iraqi people.259
476. The regulation also established a Program Review Board (PRB) to develop funding
plans and make recommendations to Ambassador Bremer on expenditures from the
DFI, in consultation with the Iraqi interim administration, when established.
477. On 12 June, MrBrenton wrote to Sir David Manning addressing the considerable
concern around Whitehall that our views are not being taken sufficiently into account in
the formulation of policy on governing Iraq.260 MrBrenton described the CPA regulation
on the DFI as obviously flawed from the UKs perspective, and the latest and most
serious example of that.
259
260
Coalition Provisional Authority, Regulation No.2, 10 June 2003, Development Fund for Iraq.
Letter Brenton to Manning, 12 June 2003, Iraq: UK/US Cooperation.
85
478. The CPA issued a further regulation on 18 June, detailing the operation of the
PRB.261 Voting members of the PRB included representatives of the Iraqi Ministry of
Finance and the UK. Non-voting members included the representatives of the IMF,
World Bank, UN SRSG and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB).
479. An IPU update on reconstruction, which was sent to No.10 on 20 June, advised
that the DFI Regulations met some, but not all of our key requirements.262
480. The FCOs covering letter to that update cited the DFI Regulations as one example
of the continuing lack of proper consultation with the UK by the US, but added that the
Regulations did not cross the UKs legal red lines.
481. The UKs efforts to scrutinise disbursements from the DFI are considered in
Section 10.3.
The first UK plan for reconstruction in the South, 12 June

482. Ministers agreed the UKs first plan for reconstruction in CPA(South) on 12 June.
Although the focus remained on securing US and CPA(Baghdad) resources, the plan
provided limited, additional UK support for CPA(South) and QIPs. The plan identified a
need to agree a source of UK funding to meet the costs of being an Occupying Power,
until other (US or Iraqi) sources of funding became available.
483. A 12 June PJHQ briefing reported that there was a trend of intelligence reporting
from the UK AOR showing increasing dissatisfaction of the civil populace.263 The
briefing attributed that to a lack of food, failure to ensure essential services such as
water, electricity and security, a general increase in anti-Coalition rhetoric from Shia
clerics, a lack of accurate information/news reporting, and a lack of progress in the
political process.
484. The 12 June meeting of the AHMGIR, which was attended by Baroness Amos,
MrBenn and senior DFID officials, considered a joint DFID/MOD paper entitled UK
Support to the CPA South Area Next Steps.264 The paper was the response to the
commission from the 15 May and 22 May meetings of the AHMGIR for an operational
plan for reconstruction in CPA(South).
485. The paper began by identifying key actions required to make progress in
the South:
clarifying CPA(South)s remit, and making it fully operational;
Coalition Provisional Authority, Regulation No.3, 18 June 2003, Program Review Board.
Letter Owen to Rycroft, 20 June 2003, Iraq: Reconstruction Priorities attaching Paper IPU, 20 June
2003, Iraq Reconstruction: 30 Day Priorities, 5 June 2003.
263
Minute DACOS J3(Ops Sp) and DACOS J2(Int) to MA/DCJO(Ops), 12 June 2003, Relations with the
Basrah Population.
264
Annotated Agenda, 12 June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper
DFID/MOD, 11 June 2003, UK Support to the CPA South Area Next Steps.
261
262
86
restoring Iraqi public administration;

maintaining and improving law and order;
improving public communications; and
internationalising the Coalition effort.
486. This required urgent action by CPA(Baghdad), in particular to:
clarify CPA(South)s remit;
provide operating/emergency funding for Iraqi institutions.
ensure US companies delivered on their contracts to provide operational support

to CPA(South) and repair essential infrastructure; and
487. The paper assessed:

CPA(South) is unable to deliver in terms of determining priority needs, overseeing
implementation, or supporting the political transition. There is a lack of vision;
CPA(South) is severely undermanned; and has almost no systems or resources in
place to deliver any tangible improvements soon. In consequence, 1 (UK) Div retains
almost all executive authority in the UK area of operations (AO). In turn, locals look
to the British military, not CPA(South), to address local problems. To the extent that
these functions are being carried out at present, it is due to the unstinting efforts of
1 (UK) Div, the few UK secondees in the South, and, more importantly, the high
quality of the Iraqi counterparts they are working with.
488. UK actions to strengthen CPA(South) included:
Exploring the possibility of establishing a CPA(South) Liaison Team in

CPA(Baghdad), to track policy development and champion the South.
CPA(South) needed more senior staff. DFID/FCO would look for a Director of
Operations to support Ambassador Olsen. The UK should provide at least one
and ideally two of the CPA representatives in the Governorates.
CPA(South) also needed more staff at working level. DFID would look to recruit
additional specialist staff.
The lack of an effective CPA(South) communications operation was a major
constraint. 1 (UK) Div and DFID would complete a joint assessment of needs
by11 June.
While discussions continued between CPA(South) and CPA(Baghdad)
on securing operating funds for CPA(South), 1 (UK) Div would provide
administrative support to CPA(South) and DFID would look to deploy an office
management team as soon as possible. That team would have access to
operating funds for up to three months, if required.
87
489. The paper assessed that a functioning Iraqi public administration was essential
fora return to normalcy. UK actions to restore it included:
CPA(South) and UK representatives would continue to press CPA(Baghdad)

to release funds for the operating budget; this would also require a high level
political push. There was a risk that those funds would not immediately be
forthcoming: We [the UK] therefore need to identify a line of funding that will
effectively cover the costs of being an Occupying Power until other sources
are freed up. Realistically, this might be for three months.
1 (UK) Div would continue to focus QIPs on restoring public infrastructure, and
DFID would continue to fund similar activity through UN agencies and NGOs.
490. The paper stated that the total UK package would be worth 26m over the
sixmonth period to October, comprising:
5m from DFID for QIPs265 (in addition to the 10m already held by the
UK military);
up to 10m from DFID for additional senior and support staff, equipment and
ifnecessary operating costs for CPA(South); and
1m from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool for police training.
491. The paper also stated that the UKs AOR would expand to four Governorates
tomatch the CPA(South) area.
492. The Annotated Agenda for the meeting stated:
The UK had a fluctuating contingent of around 70 secondees in the CPA.

Security in the South remained fragile. Iraqi frustration with the pace of progress
could cause the situation to deteriorate. The UKs ability to push the pace
would be constrained by the reduction in UK military force strength following the
transition to the 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division.
493. Ministers noted the main recommendations in the DFID/MOD paper and agreed
the UK should:
p
ress CPA headquarters to agree the mandate for CPA(South), to ensure
USfirms deliver on their contracts, and to provide budgets so that Iraqi public
institutions are able to get back to work;
seek to co-ordinate the UK and CPA reconstruction efforts in the South with the
armies and development agencies of incoming military contingents;
increase the number of DFID advisers and other staff in CPA(South), particularly
in the area of project management;
The DFID/MOD paper also stated that DFID would provide 6m for QIPs. The Inquiry concludes that
5m is the correct figure.
265
88
take forward measures to improve the synergies between the UK-led Division
and CPA(South);
strengthen CPA(South) information capacity and examine projects to foster
regional media;
take forward projects to improve law and order and re-establish local
administration, including by increasing UK funding for quick impact projects from
10m to 16m, using DFID resources; and
spread UK experience and best practice to the two new provinces in the UK-led
military sector.266
494. Closing the meeting, MrStraw commissioned a short Iraq strategy paper for the
next meeting, agreed at UK official level prior to seeking agreement with the US.
495. The Cabinet Office wrote to the IPU on 16 June to propose that work on that
strategy paper should not continue because: It now transpires that the CPA is in the
process of drafting its own strategy/vision document.267 It would be more sensible to
feed UK views into that document.
496. The meeting of the AHMGIR officials group on the following day invited
departments to send comments on the CPAs strategy paper to the IPU.268 Comments
should include the need to consider:
environmental and sustainable development issues, the role of women in the
political process and reconstruction generally, the need for a more prominent
reference to the role of UN and the IFIs, and more specific legal wording; UNSCR
1483 did not give the CPA carte blanche.
497. The officials group agreed that the UK needed to impress on Ambassador Bremer
and the US our right to be consulted on such a fundamental joint Coalition document.
498. The CPAs strategy documents Vision for Iraq and Achieving the Vision were
finalised in July and are described later in this Section.
499. MrAndy Bearpark arrived in Baghdad on 16 June to take up the post of CPA
Director of Operations.269 He was the most senior UK official within the CPA.
500. MrBearpark told the Inquiry that he had received very straightforward instructions
during a meeting with Baroness Amos and MrChakrabarti before his deployment:
Look, Andy, it is chaos out there. Nobody has the faintest idea of whats going
on We know you have got sharp elbows when you need to. Go out there and
usethem and see what happens270
Minute Dodd to Crompton, 16 June 2003, Iraq: Ad Hoc Ministerial.
268
Letter Dodd to Manning, 18 June 2003, Iraq: Rehabilitation.
269
Paper Cabinet Office, 18 June 2003, Update for Ministers; Statement Bearpark, 25 June 2010, page 1.
270
Public hearing, 6 July 2010, page 13.
266
267
89
501. He had also been told that he should owe his allegiance to the CPA rather than
the UK Government.271 Ambassador Bremer had appreciated and welcomed
that position.
502. MrBearpark told the Inquiry that Ambassador Bremer had described his role as
like a chief operations officer in a private company.272 That included responsibility for
staffing, life support and the flow of funds to CPA regional offices.
503. MrBearpark also told the Inquiry that, shortly after arriving in Baghdad,
Ambassador Bremer asked him to take on responsibility for all the Iraqi infrastructure
ministries with the exception of the Ministry of Oil.273 At that point, his title had changed
to Director of Operations and Infrastructure.
504. The Inquiry asked MrBearpark why the oil sector had not been included in his
remit.274 He replied:
It was never, ever said to me officially and it was certainly never, ever put in
writing, but every member of my staff said that it was perfectly obvious that I
couldnt be put in charge of oil because I really wasnt American [and] oil would
remain an American interest.
So it was a very specific instruction from Bremer that I was not in charge of the Oil
Ministry.
505. The UKs exclusion from oil sector policy during the CPA period is described in
Section 10.3.
506. The UN Development Programme hosted technical consultations on Iraqs
reconstruction needs on 24 June.275
507. The UK Permanent Mission to the UN in New York (UKMIS New York) reported
that MrCunliffe, the head of the UK delegation at the consultations, had set out four
priorities including agreement on a multi-donor mechanism for channelling external
resources to reconstruction projects. UKMIS New York commented that Japan, Australia
and the European Commission in particular wanted an alternative to the DFI.
508. UKMIS New York reported that the event was a positive first step towards the
internationalisation of the reconstruction effort, with the UN and IFIs now proactively
engaged. There was agreement to hold a formal donor conference, probably in October
2003. Donor interventions were upbeat, reflecting a widespread commitment to
reconstruction. But there were important caveats; donors wanted to see early progress
Statement Bearpark, 25 June 2010, page 1.
Public hearing, 6 July 2012, pages 5 and 7.
273
274
275
Telegram 1011 UKMIS New York to FCO London, 24 June 2003, Iraq: Technical Consultations on
Reconstruction Needs, New York, 24 June.
271
272
90
in establishing a representative Iraqi Government and assurances from the CPA that
there would be budgetary transparency and accountability.
509. On 24 June, MrBlair held a meeting to discuss Iraq, attended by MrStraw,
MrHoon, Baroness Amos, CDS and officials.276
510. MrHoon reported that Ambassador Olsen, Head CPA(South), was considering
resigning over the lack of funding provided for CPA(South) by CPA(Baghdad). This was
an opportunity to replace him with a British official. MrCannons record of the meeting,
which was copied to Baroness Amos, asked the FCO for advice on that point.
511. A draft of the CPAs strategic plan was provided to the 26 June meeting of the
AHMGIR.277 The Annotated Agenda described the draft as a good basis for further work
but still deficient; it did not include dates for the restoration of a full sovereign Iraqi
Government, lacked reference to macro-economic management and the environment,
exaggerated the role of the free market, did not include proper linkage to resolution
1483, and was not in a form digestible to Iraqi and regional audiences.
512. The AHMGIR agreed that officials should push for improvements to the CPAs
strategic plan, particularly on macro-economic issues and linkage to resolution 1483.278
513. The AHMGIR also asked for a weekly assessment of progress in each of the key
areas and a daily update. Reports should bring out what was being done in the South,
what the MOD and DFID could do and what would need CPA intervention.
514. The first of those weekly assessments was produced for the next meeting of the
AHMGIR, on 3 July.
515. MrBlair spoke to President Bush on 26 June.279 MrBlair set out the huge scale of
the reconstruction task and suggested that he and President Bush should hold a video
conference to work through all the reconstruction issues.
516. Dr Condoleezza Rice, US National Security Advisor, called on MrBlair on the
same day.280 MrBlair emphasised the need for the CPA to be empowered. Problems
remained in moving funds from CPA(Baghdad) to CPA(South). MrBlair hoped that, with
some easy wins on infrastructure, the South could become a showcase, since the
situation was easier there.
517. Dr Rice called on MrHoon on 27 June.281 Reflecting on MrBlairs conversation
with President Bush the previous day, she said that they had agreed that we were
Letter Cannon to Owen, 25 June 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting, 24 June.
Annotated Agenda, 25 June 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper CPA,
[undated], OCPA Strategic Plan.
278
279
Letter Rycroft to MacDonald, 26 June 2003, Prime Ministers Discussion with President Bush, 26 June.
280
Letter Rycroft to McDonald, 26 June 2003, Prime Ministers Meeting with Condi Rice, 26 June.
281
Letter Williams to McDonald, 27 June 2003, Defence Secretarys Meeting with Condi Rice
27 June 2003.
276
277
91
doing alright so far, but this would soon not be good enough. She undertook to raise
the problem of moving funds from CPA(Baghdad) to CPA(South) in Washington.
518. MrHoon said that the South could be an example of progress for the whole of Iraq.
Dr Rice responded that it was important that the South should be a success.
519. Dr Rice asked if the drawdown of UK forces in southern Iraq meant a lessening
of UK commitment to the area. MrHoon replied that force levels were based on an
assessment of the security situation. He added that it was important that significant
funds for reconstruction flowed into the area if a successful outcome was to be achieved.
520. Dr Rice called on Sir David Manning on the same day. Sir David expressed
concern about the lack of consultation by the US with the UK.282 Dr Rice indicated that
she had heard about the problems, and had taken these on board.
Making CPA(South) a model

521. Baroness Amos visited Iraq from 25 to 26 June, the first visit to Baghdad by a
Cabinet Minister since the fall of Saddam Husseins regime.283 She met a range of Iraqi
officials, a group of Iraqi women, MrVieira de Mello, Ambassador Bremer and
UK officials.
522. In her initial report to MrBlair on 27 June, Baroness Amos advised that life in Basra
had regained an air of normality.284 However, Iraqi expectations were high; restoring
services to pre-war levels would not be enough. CPA(South) was administratively very
weak. The UK could make the South a model, but this would require a clear vision of
what should be done and strong leadership. Baroness Amos recommended Ambassador
Olsens immediate replacement.
523. Baroness Amos also highlighted the lack of communication between the CPA and
the Iraqi people, both in Basra and Baghdad: Rumours of our intent and motives feed
insecurity. People still think we are in it for the oil.
524. On the same day, the FCO advised No.10 that the UK should seek to replace
Ambassador Olsen with a UK official, if he carried out his threat to resign.285 An effective
UK official could improve CPA(South)s performance and give a boost to reconstruction.
The UK would in any case probably want to provide a successor to Ambassador Olsen
when his tour ended in October. The FCOs advice was not copied to other government
departments.
Letter Rycroft to McDonald, 27 June 2003, Iraq: Meeting with Condi Rice, 27 June.
Telegram 56 IraqRep to FCO London, 26 June 2003, Iraq: Baroness Amos Visit.
284
Letter Amos to Blair, 27 June 2003, Iraq.
285
Letter Owen to Rycroft, 27 June 2003, Iraq: Ambassador Olsen.
282
283
92
525. Baroness Amos appeared before the International Development Committee (IDC)
on 30 June.286 MrTony Worthington invited Baroness Amos to clarify the Governments
aspirations in Iraq, including about having a sort of British zone, enabled by some
devolution of powers from CPA(Baghdad). Baroness Amos replied:
we see the South very much as a European zone rather than just a British
zone. The Italians are coming in soon. There is a Dane [Ambassador Olsen] who
isrunning CPA(South) The Coalition effort is now very broad.
526. Baroness Amos sent a fuller report of her visit to Iraq to MrBlair on 2 July.287 In
her covering letter, she advised that security was the overwhelming and immediate
priority. The UN planned to scale back the number of international UN staff in Baghdad,
from 300 to 200, on security grounds. Baroness Amos commented:
This will send an extremely negative signal to both Iraqis and the international
community and if it takes effect for more than a few weeks it will also have a
major impact on our recovery and reconstruction effort We should look again
at the number of troops in theatre and be prepared to put more Coalition (or other
international) troops on the ground if that is required.
527. Baroness Amos stated that the UKs focus on security in the South (leaving
security in Baghdad largely to the US) was not good enough. Security across Iraq was
the single most important factor in determining the success or failure of political and
reconstruction efforts. The Coalition was running out of time.
528. Baroness Amos highlighted three priorities from her report:
security;
urgent actions to effect palpable, significant and immediate improvements in the

lives of the Iraqi people.
agreeing a clear timetable for political transition and communicating it to the Iraqi
people; and
529. Baroness Amos concluded by asking that MrBlair raise two issues with President
Bush when they spoke the following day:
the urgent need to grip security in Baghdad; and

the need for a public and well-communicated timetable for the political transition.
530. Baroness Amoss report stated that, in many respects, life in Basra and Baghdad
was returning to normal. In Basra, water and sanitation services were back at
preconflict levels, a possible cholera epidemic had been contained, the public health
International Development Committee, Session 2002-2003, Examination of Witnesses

(Questions 60-77), 30 June 2003.
287
Letter Amos to Blair, 2 July 2003, [untitled], attaching Report, [undated], Iraq: Visit Report.
286
93
surveillance system was being re-established, hospitals and clinics were functioning
again, and police stations had been refurbished.
531. CPA(Baghdad) was functioning more effectively, helped by the good relationship
between MrSawers and Ambassador Bremer and the arrival of MrBearpark. However,
across the CPA, there were:
still too many people with the wrong skill set policy focus rather than
operational expertise, and insufficient experience of post-conflict developing country
situations.
532. Across Iraq, food distribution was going well, salaries had been paid, an interim
budget was being developed, the oil sector was recovering well, and Bechtel had
completed its assessment of immediate needs and would shortly begin a series
of projects.
533. The report also identified a number of priorities, including:
security;
the justice and security sector;
the political process;
kick-starting the economy; and
better communication with the Iraqi people, to manage expectations and
address conspiracy theories and rumours.
534. The report concluded that without improved security, little else is possible. Iraqis
were increasingly frustrated with the perceived lack of progress, and time was running
out fast. The Coalition needed to accelerate progress.
535. Baroness Amos made a number of recommendations, including:
Make CPA(South) a model
We need to replace Olsen. If that is not possible immediately, we should

strengthen the senior management team around him; and provide other staff
as required.
Strengthen CPA (Baghdad)
Provide whatever additional staff are required with the right skill
Public Services
Electricity supply lies at the root of many of the public service problems
I stand ready to provide additional resources if they are required to support
emergency rehabilitation.
94
536. Baroness Amos meetings with MrVieira de Mello and Ambassador Bremer
focused on the political process and are considered in Section 9.2.
537. Sir David Manning sent a note to MrBlair on 2 July, in advance of a video
conference between MrBlair and President Bush, offering advice on the conversation.288
He stated:
This is a key exchange.
538. Of the messages that were vital to get across, Sir David identified security as the
top priority and suggested (noting that the MOD would probably disagree) a surge of
large numbers of troops into Iraq to get through the security crisis. This should be
accompanied by an accelerated reconstruction programme and a very vigorous political
programme plus an effective media strategy.
539. Cabinet met on 3 July, before the video conference.289 In the course of the meeting,
MrStraw, Baroness Amos and MrHoon all emphasised that security was the main issue.
MrBlair concluded that the UK should make CPA(South) a model.
540. The video conference took place later that day. In addition to the President and
MrBlair, MrHoon, MrRumsfeld, Vice President Cheney and senior UK and US officials
joined the conference in London and Washington. Ambassador Bremer, MrSawers
andGeneral Ricardo Sanchez, Commander Combined Joint Task Force 7, dialled in
from Iraq.
541. MrBlair began by congratulating Ambassador Bremer on the remarkable
performance of the CPA.290
542. MrBlair then listed areas of concern, including:
Security. This was hampering CPA efforts at reconstruction; what more did the
CPA need?
Reconstruction. MrBlair underlined the urgency of rebuilding power and water
infrastructure and asked whether there were particular obstacles that needed
to be removed. He observed that Iraqi public expectations were outrunning the
CPAs capacity to respond.
Communications. It was essential to improve the CPAs capacity to communicate
with the people of Iraq and handle the local and international media.
543. MrBlair concluded that the UK would do its level best to meet any demand for
additional resources. If there were any obstacles that needed clearing, Sawers/Bremer
should tell him.
Minute Manning to Prime Minister, 2 July 2003, Iraq: Your Video Conference with President Bush.
Cabinet Conclusions, 3 July 2003.
290
Letter Cannon to McDonald, 3 July 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Video-Conference with President Bush,
3 July.
288
289
95
544. The AHMGIR met later on 3 July, chaired by MrHoon.

545. The Annotated Agenda for the meeting, prepared by the Cabinet Office, reported
that the security situation was constraining the reconstruction work of the CPA, the UN
and other international actors.291 As a result of security concerns, UK CPA secondees
were operating a night-time curfew.
546. On CPA(South), the Annotated Agenda stated that Ambassador Olsen was leaving
soon; the UK was looking for a strong UK replacement. There had been some progress
in resolving funding and other issues between CPA (South) and CPA(Baghdad), but
operational funding had still not arrived.
547. In discussion, Ministers said that there was no need, at present, to increase
UK forces.292
548. MrHoon, as Chair of the AHMGIR, summed up the discussion stating real
improvements [in security] would depend in part on progress on political reform and
reconstruction.
549. The AHMGIR was also provided with:
a draft UK Action Plan covering political reform, security, economic and physical
reconstruction for June to September 2003, which had been produced by the
DFID-led IROG;
the statement of progress on rehabilitation which they had requested at their
previous meeting (on 26 June);
a paper from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
on environmental reconstruction; and
a paper from the MOD on the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and
depleted uranium (DU).293
550. The draft UK Action Plan listed existing and planned activities to the end of
September 2003 which, taken together, and assuming continued engagement by the
US, UN and IFIs, should lead to tangible progress towards the strategic objective of:
A free Iraq at peace with its neighbours and governed by a Government
representative of all strands of society.294
Annotated Agenda, 3 July 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Minutes, 3 July 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
293
Annotated Agenda, 3 July 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper MOD,
2 July 2003, Current policies and activities relating to clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and
depleted uranium (DU) in Iraq and Paper DEFRA, 1 July 2003, Environmental Reconstruction in Iraq.
294
Annotated Agenda, 3 July 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation Meeting attaching Paper [draft],
2 July 2003, Iraq Rehabilitation Plan June September 2003.
291
292
96
551. The Action Plan defined objectives, indicators and activities (ranging from sending
secondees to the CPA to joint UK-Iraqi patrolling in Basra) in nine areas:
political process;
strategic communications;
public administration;
law and order;
needs of the vulnerable;
repairs to public infrastructure;
oil industry;
economic management; and
medium term needs assessment.
552. The statement of progress on rehabilitation, which had been produced by officials
in London, in liaison with colleagues in Iraq, listed key issues, current facts, UK
inputs and next steps in six areas:
security;
public infrastructure;
public administration;
humanitarian relief;
macro-economic issues; and
the political process.295
553. Ministers endorsed the draft Action Plan and agreed that they should receive
weekly statements of progress, with baselines added.296
554. The Annotated Agenda for the AHMGIR stated that Iraq faced a range of
environmental problems as a result of successive conflicts, poor environmental
management under Saddam Hussein, and limited regional co-operation on natural
resource management.297 Ministers were invited to agree that:
Environmental reconstruction and sustainable development issues should be

factored into UK, Coalition and international policy towards Iraq.
The UK should support the work of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),
including by considering part-funding their post-conflict assessment.
The UK should tackle UXO and DU on the basis of the scale of risk posed to the
Iraqi population.
Minute Dodd to Cannon, 4 July 2003, Iraq: Rehabilitation.

297
295
296
97
Notwithstanding the lack of legal obligation, the UK should mark and clear up
expended surface but not sub-soil DU on an opportunity basis.
555. The Annotated Agenda stated that the UK was assisting explosive clearance by
providing information, advice and 5m in DFID funding to UN agencies and NGOs.
The MOD was providing information on sites where DU had been used to international
agencies and local communities.
556. Ministers agreed that:
Environmental issues should be factored into overall policy towards Iraq and that
the UK should consider part-funding the UNEP assessment.
The UK should tackle depleted uranium (and unexploded ordnance) on the
basis of the scale of risk posed to the Iraqi population, but clear up depleted
uranium from the surface.298
The focus of the CPAs media operations

MrJohn Buck deployed to Iraq at the end of May 2003, as the CPAs interim Director of
Strategic Communications.
He provided an assessment of the CPAs communication effort on his departure from
Baghdad at the end of June.299 Considerable progress had been made. A single structure
had been established and a single information campaign (focusing on getting the Iraqi
people accurate messages about key CPA policies on security, the economy, and
infrastructure and salary payments) had been agreed. The major challenge was to ensure
that this new structure was fully staffed; a successor to MrBuck had not yet been nominated.
MrBuck told the Inquiry that, at the time he left Iraq, there was an embryo of an effective
CPA media operation.300 However, from his perspective as the new FCO Director Iraq, that
operation subsequently became much less effective:
it was something we [the FCO] agonised over a lot, but it was never something
that we had a great deal of control over, and I think part of the problem was that over
time during the autumn, the focus of the US became very much the Presidential
elections. So the whole focus of the media operation became far more domestic
relaying back to the US what was happening [rather] than actually communicating
with the Iraqi people.
MrAndy Bearpark, CPA Director of Operations and Infrastructure, echoed that assessment,
and also set out the danger of not communicating effectively with the Iraqi people:
At that stage the CPA strategic communications effort was entirely directed at the
American people. So there was an enormous effort to explain back to the States what
was happening, but zero effort to explain to the Iraqi people what was happening.

Telegram 53 IraqRep to FCO London, 25 June 2003, Iraq: CPA: Getting the Message Across.
300
298
299
98
In that atmosphere, it means that myths can grow very, very quickly and in very
dangerous ways. So one myth that grew, which is absolutely ludicrous was that
the electricity was in fact being produced but it was being stolen by the Americans.301
557. On 7 July, Ambassador Bremer announced:
He had approved the interim Iraqi budget for 2003.302
The Central Bank of Iraq was now independent.303
The Coalition would print and distribute new banknotes for Iraq, to replace
both the Swiss Dinar (used in the Kurdish North of Iraq) and the Print Dinar
(used elsewhere) by mid-January 2004. The Print Dinar was inconvenient to
use, coming in only two denominations, and easy to counterfeit. Swiss Dinar
banknotes had been in circulation since at least 1990, and were falling apart.
558. MrBrown was briefed by a Treasury official the following day that UK officials
had helped to develop the interim budget and the plan to print and distribute new
banknotes.304 Both decisions should help to establish macroeconomic stability in Iraq.
Earlier UK concerns over the legitimacy of printing a new currency had been met. The
UK had not been consulted over the decision to make the Central Bank independent;
theTreasury had not been expecting the announcement.
559. The Annotated Agenda for the 10 July meeting of the AHMGIR reported those
changes:
Bremer has also announced the independence of the Iraqi Central Bank
the announcement has taken all by surprise. It is not clear if De Mello was fully
consulted We are trying to clarify the situation.305
Establishing a British Fiefdom in the South, July 2003

560. In July, the UK Government sought to replace Ambassador Olsen as Head of
CPA(South) with a British official but did not address the implications, including the
resource implications, of that decision.
561. Sir Michael Jay reported to FCO and IPU colleagues on 7 July that he had
discussed Ambassador Olsens future with his Danish colleague, MrFriis Petersen.306
Public hearing, 6 July 2010, pages 23-24.

Coalition Provisional Authority, Press Release, 7 July 2003, Text of Ambassador Bremers Address to
the Iraqi People: Budget and Banknotes.
303
Coalition Provisional Authority, Order No. 18, 7 July 2003, Measures to Ensure the Independence of the
Central Bank of Iraq.
304
Minute Treasury [junior official] to Chancellor, 8 July 2003, Iraq: Announcements on Currency and
Budget for 2003.
305
306
Minute Jay to Chaplin, 7 July 2003, Ambassador Olsen.
301
302
99
562. Sir Michael asked colleagues for advice on possible successors to Ambassador
Olsen. Sir Michael commented that, while he could see the arguments for a British
replacement, the UK should at least consider appointing someone other than a US or
UK citizen, to demonstrate the international dimension to Iraqs reconstruction.
563. MrNeil Crompton, MrChilcotts successor as Head of the IPU, replied on 9 July.307
He recalled that Sir Michael had discussed the question of whether to seek a British or
international replacement with MrChaplin and others, and had concluded that the FCO
should seek a British replacement. That conclusion had strong support across Whitehall:
where there is desire for a leader with strong political and managerial skills, who
can gain Bremers trust, and lead the whole operation in the British AOR.
564. MrCrompton identified a number of possible candidates for Ambassador Olsens
successor, including Sir Hilary Synnott.
565. The Annotated Agenda for the 10 July meeting of the AHMGIR invited Ministers
tonote and agree that the UK should:
increase our effort in CPA (South) as required. This should include
replacing Ambassador Olsen with a suitably strong UK figure.308
566. The AHMGIR agreed:
Secondments to the CPA should be maintained at approximately the current

level, but matched more closely to requirements, with more specialist than
policy staff.
The UK effort in CPA(South) should be increased as required, including
through the appointment of a suitably strong UK figure to replace Ambassador
Olsen.309
567. Multi-National Division (South-East) (MND(SE)) was formally established on

12 July, coinciding with the handover from 1 (UK) Div to 3rd (UK) Mechanised
Division.310
568. The 16 July Chiefs of Staff meeting commented:
Although mindful of the Prime Ministers imperative for exemplar operations in the
South, the strong advice from UK representatives in the CPA was for the UK to
spread its influence and thus avoid being left to run the South without strong links
toUS resources.311
Minute Crompton to FCO [junior official], 9 July 2003, Iraq: Replacement for Ambassador Olsen.
309
310
Report Lamb, 30 January 2004, Post Operational Tour Report Version 1 Operation Telic 2/3 11 July
to 28 December 2003.
311
Minutes, 16 July 2003, Chiefs of Staff meeting.
307
308
100
569. The Annotated Agenda for the 17 July meeting of the AHMGIR stated that the CPA
had decided to create Governorate Teams (GT) in each of Iraqs 18 governorates.312 The
UK was likely to be asked to provide leaders for four of those GTs.
570. The Annotated Agenda reported that MrBearpark recommended against
concentrating the UK contribution to GTs in the four southern governorates on the
grounds that an all-UK sector might have more difficulty in accessing funds from
Baghdad.313 A spread of representation would also give the UK sight of developments
across Iraq.
571. At the meeting, Ministers were informed that Sir Hilary Synnott, a former
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, had been appointed as Head of CPA(South),
tosucceed Ambassador Olsen.314
572. Ministers agreed that the UK should shift emphasis over time from regional areas
of operation to governorates and should explore the possibility of leading two teams in
CPA(South East) and one each in CPA(South) and CPA(North). Ministers requested firm
recommendations for the following week.
573. The 24 July meeting of the AHMGIR agreed that the UK would offer to lead four
GTs, two in the South East, one in the Kurdish area, and one elsewhere in the Sunni
area but not in the less stable central areas around Baghdad.315
574. By 25 July, close to 100 UK personnel were seconded to the CPA, 30 of them in
Basra. Section 15.1 describes UK staffing for the CPA in more detail.
CPAs Vision for Iraq and Achieving the Vision implementation plan
575. Officials had agreed in June that the UK should contribute to the development of
the CPAs strategy, rather than develop a strategy of its own.
576. MrSawers reported on 6 July, as part of a general update of developments in the
CPA, that the CPAs strategic plan was at an advanced stage of drafting and in pretty
good shape.316 UK officials were feeding in concerns that it needed to be clearer about the
scope for economic change, and to give a higher profile to the UNs independent role.
577. The IPU welcomed the news, commenting that it had thought the strategic plan
was lost in the weeds.317

Annotated Agenda, 17 July 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper Iraq
Policy Unit, 14 July 2003, Ad Hoc Ministerial Meeting: 17 July, (Annex C) Future Staffing of the CPA.
314
315
316
Telegram 69 IraqRep Baghdad to FCO London, 6 July 2003, Iraq: CPA Activity.
317
Telegram 27 FCO London to IraqRep Baghdad, 7 July 2003, Iraq Priorities.
312
313
101
578. The Iraqi Governing Council met for the first time on 13 July (see Section 9.2). The
CPA and the Governing Council agreed that the CPA would be required to consult the
Governing Council on all major decisions and questions of policy.
579. MrBlair visited Washington on 17 July.318 MrBlair urged President Bush to focus
on a media strategy for communicating with the Iraqi people, to ensure they understood
that the US and UK were there to help and were improving basic services. It was those
opposed to Coalition Forces who were responsible for the power shortages. MrBlair
proposed that UK and US media professionals should work out a media plan. If more
resources were needed, they should be made available.
580. MrBlair said that if security could be improved, the pace of reconstruction
could quicken.
581. The Annotated Agenda for the 17 July meeting of the AHMGIR advised that
the CPAs Vision for Iraq had been finalised.319 Although not perfect, it met the UKs
(unspecified) basic requirements.
582. Hard Lessons recorded that senior Pentagon officials had approved the CPAs
Vision for Iraq, which had been drafted by the CPAs Office of Strategic Planning, on
18July.320
583. The Vision for Iraq was underpinned by an implementation plan, Achieving the
Vision to Restore Full Sovereignty to the Iraqi People, which was circulated to members
of Congress on 23 July.321
584. Achieving the Vision defined the CPAs primary goal as:
a unified and stable, democratic Iraq that provides effective and
representative government for the Iraqi people; is underpinned by new and
protected freedoms and a growing market economy; is able to defend itself
but no longer poses a threat to its neighbours or international security.322
585. It defined four principal objectives or core foundations:
security establishing a secure and safe environment;
essential services restoring essential services to an acceptable standard;

economy creating the conditions for economic growth;
governance
Letter Rycroft to Adams, 18 July 2003, Prime Ministers Visit to Washington, 17 July.
320
Office, 2009.
321
Bremer LP III & McConnell M. My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope.
Threshold, 2006.
322
Paper CPA, 21 July 2003, Achieving the Vision to Restore Full Sovereignty to the Iraqi People.
318
319
102
586. Achieving the Vision also defined a large number of subsidiary objectives, and
set targets for those objectives for October 2003, January 2004 and February 2004
onwards. The target for power generation was to generate 4,000MW by October 2003
and 5,000MW by January 2004 (from a base of 2,700MW in May 2003).
587. Hard Lessons assessed:
The CPAs Achieving the Vision suffered from some serious flaws. First, Iraqis were
not sufficiently consulted on it. The Iraqi Governing Council was never given a
chance to provide advice on it The CPA also had established overly ambitious
infrastructure outcomes before ascertaining baseline conditions and before
determining costs. Moreover, the outcomes had unrealistic completion dates, some
by October 2003, just three months later.323
588. The Inquiry asked MrBearpark if the CPA saw the Vision for Iraq as a framework
for delivering an international or just a Coalition reconstruction effort.324 He replied:
Paradoxically, I think both of those things are true. I think in terms of designing
of the strategy, that was it was nothing to do with the Coalition. It was a purely
American-led document. So this was the American vision of what should happen,
what the objectives should be.
There was, however, even at that stage, a recognition on the part of the CPA that
the delivery of these objectives would, in some cases, be impossible without the
wider involvement of the international community.
So if you like, the CPA viewed the international community as having no role
whatsoever in terms of setting the objectives, but as having a fairly useful role in
terms of delivering some of the objectives, and the easiest way of expressing that
would, as ever, be, in financial terms
589. In his memoir, Sir Hilary Synnott, who would take up post as Head of CPA(South)
on 30 July, recalled:
My task was to do my best to manage the region according to Bremers plans.
Bremer had the awful task of formulating the plan itself I forced myself to sit
down and try to read the Visions electronic manifestation The trouble was it
did not amount to an operational plan of action, only a list of subsidiary objectives
under each of these headings. There were no indications about how in practice they
would be achieved: no details of funding, of personnel involved, of support systems
or of timing. It was particularly notable that the ultimate objective, of handing full
sovereignty back to the Iraqi people, had no timing attached to it at all.325
Office, 2009.
324
325
Synnott H. Bad Days in Basra: My Turbulent Time as Britains Man in Southern Iraq. I B Tauris & Co
Ltd., 2008.
323
103
590. Ms Emma Sky, CPA Governorate Co-ordinator in Kirkuk from June 2003 to
February 2004, told the Inquiry that she had not been engaged in development of the
Vision for Iraq or Achieving the Vision:
I recall in September 2003 going down to Baghdad [for MrBremers monthly
meeting of commanders and Governorate Co-ordinators] and there was a CPA
strategy that was, This is what we are going to do, but none of us had known about
it before, werent involved in the development of it.326
591. On 23 July, the DFID Office in Basra produced a Review of the Humanitarian
Situation and DFID-Funded Operations in the Lower South Area of Iraq.327 The Review,
which had been developed in consultation with CPA(South), the UK military, Iraqi
government bodies, UN agencies, the ICRC and NGOs, described itself as:
the first comprehensive operational monitoring exercise undertaken by DFID
inthe lower South since the conflict.
592. In the Review, DFID concluded that the humanitarian phase of operations had
rapidly passed, although some elements of humanitarian vulnerability remained.
Despite continuing insecurity, a tendency by some agencies to over-assess and
underimplement, an over-emphasis on Basra at the expense of other provinces,
andpoor co-ordination within the South and between the South and Baghdad, significant
progress had recently been made in providing quick-fixes to immediate problems, and
in finally gearing up the reconstruction process.
593. DFID assessed that the new CPA model whereby CPA(Baghdad) would deal
directly with each governorate through CPA Governorate Teams (GTs), rather than
indirectly through CPA regional offices such as CPA(South) was more consistent with
Iraqs existing centralised model of government. CPA(South) would continue to exist,
but as a regional hub providing expertise to the four governorates, and without explicit
authority. DFID commented:
Such a dramatic change in direction typifies the uncertain and ad hoc evolution of
the CPA and whilst eminently sensible, poses an entirely new set of challenges
in terms of establishing and staffing and ensuring that four offices rather than just
one receive adequate support and guidance from Baghdad.
594. Security remained the single most important factor in determining progress on
reconstruction. The security situation remained at best fragile, at worst anarchic,
fuelled by rising expectations, poor service provision and criminality. There had been
some improvements in recent weeks, including the deployment of small numbers of
Iraqipolice onto the streets.

Paper DFID-Basrah, 23 July 2003, Review of the Humanitarian Situation and DFID-Funded Operations
in the Lower South Area of Iraq.
326
327
104
595. The Review also provided a detailed assessment of the state of health services,
nutrition and food distribution, water supply, sanitation, power, infrastructure, education
services, agriculture and livestock, Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees,
mines and unexploded ordnance, public information, and co-ordination.
596. On co-ordination in the South, DFID advised that the UN and CPA remained
atarms length leading to a dysfunctional approach in the South and no real leadership:
The elements of an effective strategy are distributed among the players
and coordination is not yet sufficient to harness resources (primarily USAID
contractors),and experience (UN) under the current authority (CPA).
The shadow of Baghdad looms over all co-ordination issues, with local solutions
regularly undermined by unilateral decisions or lack of direction from the centre.
597. DFID assessed that the decision to establish GTs had further undermined
CPA(South)s ability to exert its authority.
598. The Inquiry has seen no indications that the Review was circulated to other
departments.
599. MrSawers 28 July valedictory report from Baghdad offered a generally positive
assessment of progress in the three months since the invasion.328 He commented:
The Coalition didnt exactly help itself. The needs of the post-conflict planning never
received sufficient attention We wasted not only the first month after Saddam fell,
but also the six months before that when we should have been planning realistically.
600. There was real progress on security, the political process and the economy
(salaries were being paid, food was being distributed, commerce on the street was lively,
and there was a strong commitment to economic reform backed by the World Bank and
the IMF). Although there was still a long way to go in all three areas:
the CPA under Jerry Bremer has plans in place on all fronts. Drift isnt a word in
his vocabulary. We may only be at the five mile mark in this marathon, but the route
ahead is mapped out, and the runners know what they have to do.
601. MrSawers did not consider the progress in the South.
602. MrDavid Richmond succeeded MrSawers as the Prime Ministers Special
Representative on Iraq on an interim basis, and remained in post until Sir Jeremy
Greenstock arrived in September (see Section 9.2). MrRichmond remained in Iraq
asSir Jeremys deputy.
328
Telegram 101 IraqRep to FCO London, 28 July 2003, Iraq: How Far Have We Come?.
105
603. MrBlair and President Bush spoke by telephone on 31 July.329 The conversation
turned to the media, and MrBlair commented that better Iraqi media would make a
difference in achieving accurate reporting of events in Iraq. They agreed that if there
was no real improvement in a couple of weeks top level US/UK media people would
beasked to work up and implement a plan.
604. MrHoons Private Secretary wrote to MrRycroft on 4 August to advise him that
MOD Ministers had agreed that an additional (130-strong) infantry company and a small
(30-strong) riverine capability were required in Iraq (see Section 9.2).330 The letter stated:
Paradoxically we are having to deploy more personnel partly because our
reconstruction efforts are being successful (there is more worth securing and more
civil activity to safeguard).
Sir Hilary Synnott arrives in Basra, 30 July

605. Ambassador Olsen resigned as Head of CPA(South) on 28 July.331
606. Sir Hilary Synnott arrived in Basra on 30 July.332
607. At that time, the UK had approximately 100 officials seconded into the CPA,
including 30 in CPA(South) (see Section 15.1).
608. Shortly before he deployed, Sir Hilary called on MrBlair.333 In his evidence to the
Inquiry, Sir Hilary recalled that during that meeting he had pointed out that he would have
no secure communications in Basra. The Inquiry has not seen a record of that meeting.
609. Sir Hilary told the Inquiry that he had several Terms of Reference:
formal Terms of Reference, agreed by Ambassador Bremer;
some objectives set personally by MrBlair, which included the statement that
if I had any difficulties at all, I should let him know personally.334
the British Governments idea of what my responsibilities should be, which

were not shown to Ambassador Bremer and related to keeping London
informed; and
610. In his memoir, Sir Hilary described the first and second of those Terms of Reference:
My mission statement entailed giving leadership and direction to the work of the
CPA in the four southern provinces; and it also required me to give a political context
Letter Rycroft to Adams, 31 July 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Conversation with Bush, 31 July.
Letter Latham to Rycroft, 4 August 2003, Iraq: Force Level Review.
331
Iraq Report, 1 August 2003, Southern Iraq Administrator leaves post.
332
Ltd., 2008.
333
334
329
330
106
to the work of the military commanders in the South. I would be accountable directly
to Ambassador Bremer.
But there was also a covering letter, marinated in subtleties. From a Whitehall
perspective, it read, despite [Ambassador] Bremers decision to create 18 Provincial
Co-ordinators who reported directly to him, the UK Supremo in the South concept
still holds.335
611. The Inquiry has not seen that covering letter.
612. MrBlair told the Inquiry:
I was always very clear with our people out there, If you have got a real problem,
pick up the phone, if necessary, and if you start to get messed around with
bureaucracy, come to me directly.336
613. Sir Hilary told the Inquiry that he did not take up MrBlairs offer to call him, but
saidthat his reporting telegrams were directed at No.10 and Ministers (rather than
middle-ranking officials).337
614. On his third day in Iraq, Sir Hilary called on Ambassador Bremer in Baghdad:
he [Bremer] didnt give me any instructions, so I offered him three priorities,
which he agreed with. The first was I needed to find out what Baghdads priorities
were, which we didnt know in the South. The second was to make sure that our
priorities in the South were consistent with Baghdads priorities, and the third was
to change the location of where we worked, which was in every sense dangerous to
health, and for that I got tremendous support from Baghdad.
Ultimately, we continued really to have no direction from Baghdad, which was a pity
in one sense but a blessing in another, because unless I had an instruction not to do
something, I felt able to do whatever we were able to do.338
615. In his memoir, Sir Hilary wrote:
I was particularly surprised and dismayed in my first encounters in Baghdad with
the lack of interest in the political and social situation in the four southern provinces,
and by Bremers declared intention to concentrate exclusively on Baghdad.339
Ltd., 2008.
336
337
338
339
Ltd., 2008.
335
107
616. Sir Hilary reported his first impressions from Basra on 7 August.340 He wrote that
CPA(South) was not well thought of in the CPA. MrBearpark had told him that it was
the least effective of the CPAs regional offices by a long way. Feelings in CPA(South)
about CPA(Baghdad) were equally negative. Sir Hilary assessed that much of the
problem stemmed from poor communication in both directions, leading to a high level
ofmutual misunderstanding.
617. In that context, Sir Hilary reported:
I have no secure communication at all with Baghdad or London (both deficiencies
are now on their way to being rectified, although I may yet call for a push from
the FCO); e-mails are usually by means of free Yahoo or Hotmail ISPs; there are
no telephone landlines; mobile coverage is sketchy, which leaves a few sat[ellite]
phones. All of this should have improved by the end of the month.
618. Sir Hilary also reported that Ambassador Bremer had agreed his three procedural
priorities:
to improve the information flow and consultation between Baghdad and Basra;
to set priorities for work in the South, in line with wider CPA objectives; and
to upgrade living and working conditions in CPA(South).
619. On the second point, Sir Hilary reported that he had agreed a proposal from
Major General Graeme Lamb, GOC MND(SE), to establish a Joint Co-ordination Board
comprising the UK Division, CPA(South) and the UN. The first meeting had revealed a
heartening commonality of approach and attitude.
620. Sir Hilary wrote in his memoir that his arrival, along with the British military
command of MND(SE), established some sort of British Fiefdom in the South, but one
which he saw as still entirely dependent on American resources for its lifeblood.341
621. Sir Hilary told the Inquiry that one major benefit of his appointment as Head of
CPA(South) was that he and Maj Gen Lamb were able to work formally very close
together, increasing their influence with the CPA and London.342 One difficulty was
the tendency of some UK Cabinet Ministers to make public statements about the UKs
exemplary approach in the South, which overlooked CPA(South)s dependence on US
financial resources:
I know that the Americans in Baghdad were pretty upset with this British
boasting. As I was, because I was worried that this would freeze up the flow
of resources.
Telegram 42 FCO to UKRep Iraq, 7 August 2003, Iraq: Basra: First Impressions and Work in Hand.
Ltd., 2008.
342
340
341
108
622. The Inquiry asked MrBearpark if the UKs assumption of lead responsibility for
the South had given rise to an American assumption that the UK would provide a higher
level of financing for CPA(South) than it did.343 MrBearpark said that at a senior level the
US believed that the UK was making a reasonable and fair contribution in the South,
in terms of both personnel and funding. There was a problem, however, at the middle
level, which was exacerbated by repeated stories in the UK media that the US could
learn from the exemplary job that the UK was doing in the South:
A result of that was that there were certainly American officials within
CPA(Baghdad) who would say to me, Look, why are you coming whinging at us yet
again to try to get some resources for CPA(South)? You Brits know how to do it
so well, why dont you fund it as well, if you are that clever about it?
623. MrBearpark also told the Inquiry that, while in theory his responsibilities included
staffing, life support and the flow of funds to all CPA regional offices, in practice there
was a big difference between CPA(South) and the other CPA regional offices,
because CPA(South) was British and run in a particular way as a British operation.344
624. Sir Jeremy Greenstock told the Inquiry:
Ithink we did agood job in the early stages in Basra. But we [the UK] were
very short of money, and we got virtually no American money because DFID
concentrated on that. The Americans said let the Brits look after Basra.345
Responding to deteriorating security

625. Security in Iraq deteriorated in August 2003. Concerns about progress on
reconstruction in the South and the implications for the level of consent enjoyed by
UK forces led the UK to develop the Essential Services Plan, which aimed to improve
essential services rapidly and visibly.
626. On 10 and 11 August, Basra experienced severe rioting.346 MrRichmond reported:
The immediate cause of the disturbances is clear. Supplies of petrol and diesel in
Basras service stations ran out on 9 August This was combined with a major
blackout in Basra because of a failure in the transmission line which rippled through
the entire system. (The system is so fragile that the only surprise is that it has not
happened before.)
There is no doubt that political elements exploited the situation There is also
some evidence of pre-planning But without the fuel and electricity crisis agitators
would not have found much purchase.

345
Private hearing, 26 May 2010, page 54.
346
Telegram 114 IraqRep to FCO London, 12 August 2003, Situation in Basra.
343
344
109
627. A Cabinet Office update for Ministers on 14 August reflected the same analysis:
the Basra demonstrations are evidence of increasing frustration with the
Coalitions failure to restore basic services. Attacks on MND(SE) are widening.347
628. Sir Hilary Synnott wrote in his memoir:
Riots erupted outside our Electricity Accounts building. Instead of just stones and
rocks, there was now gunfire
Within a day, however, the Army had stepped in to organise the fuel distribution
network The violence subsided to a normal level as quickly as it had blown up.348
629. Lieutenant General Robert Fry, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Commitments),
advised the Chiefs of Staff on 18 August:
Iraqi consent to the Coalition presence in MND(SE) is declining because supplies
offuel, power and water are failing to meet expectations.349
630. He reported that UK troops were being diverted to fuel security tasks;
19Mechanised Brigade was now dedicating four patrols to fuel security tasks for
everyone patrol to general security tasks.
631. Lt Gen Fry identified three courses of action for the UK:
accelerate reconstruction by the CPA;

step in to lead the reconstruction effort in MND(SE); or
step in temporarily to alleviate the situation, before handing over to the
CPA/Iraqi ministries.
632. Lt Gen Fry concluded that if an acceleration of the CPAs reconstruction effort did
not check the deterioration, then a shift to the third course of action would be essential.
633. The Chiefs of Staff meeting on 20 August agreed that the first course of action
should be pursued, although contingency planning should be undertaken for the third
course of action.350
634. An update for the AHMGIR, produced on 20 August, advised that Basra was now
calmer, although that calm might be short-lived if the Coalition cannot maintain at least
the current level of service delivery.351 Security across MND(SE) remained volatile, and
security concerns had led to the withdrawal of Japanese staff in CPA(South).
Letter Drummond to Owen, 14 August 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers attaching Paper Cabinet Office,
14 August 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers, 14 August 2003.
348
Ltd., 2008.
349
Minute DCDS(C) to COSSEC, 18 August 2003, Essential services in MND(SE).
350
Minutes, 20 August 2003, Chiefs of Staff meeting.
351
Paper Cabinet Office, 20 August 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers, 21 August 2003.
347
110
635. Concern over the apparent failure of the CPAs plans to restore electricity prompted
MrRichmond to commission MrNick Horne, a UK consultant working in the CPA, to
produce a report on electricity supply problems in the Basra area.352
636. MrHornes report identified the immediate causes of the blackout across the Basra
area on 9 August, and made recommendations to address them.353 It also identified the
medium- and long-term measures required to accelerate restoration of a reliable supply
of electricity across Iraq.
637. MrRichmond sent copies of the report to the FCO, the MOD, DFID, the DTI and
the Cabinet Office on 20 August.354 He commented:
Iraqs electricity infrastructure suffered decades of neglect. Though little damaged
by the war, subsequent looting and sabotage have caused massive damage to
transmission lines. This goes some way to explain why electricity supplies have
been so unreliable. But Coalition plans to restore power to pre-war levels were
not properly staffed, funded or implemented. Two or three months have been
largely wasted.
638. MrRichmond reported that the CPAs electricity team was small (eight people,
of whom only three were specialists) and poorly managed. In contrast, a UN project in
northern Iraq employed 80 international experts and several thousand Iraqis to run a
small network that relied on a single hydro-electric power station.
639. The CPA had been working to a plan to achieve pre-war levels of generation
(4,400MW) by the end of September. That plan comprised a single sheet [of paper]
withno activities, timescales, parts requirements etc.
640. MrRichmond suggested that the riots in Basra had drawn attention to the
CPAs failure to meet electricity targets. Ambassador Bremer had been horrified by
MrHornes report and had directed that a proper plan should be developed. A revised
plan to generate 4,400MW by the end of September had now been agreed; a plan to
generate 6,000MW (Iraqs estimated need) by May 2004 was being developed.
641. MrRichmond recommended that the UK should support this effort by providing
technical experts in a number of areas.
642. MrRichmond also reported that a major conference would take place at
CENTCOM Headquarters at the end of August to discuss electricity and oil.
643. On 19 August, the UN Headquarters at the Canal Hotel, Baghdad, was bombed;
22 UN staff and visitors including MrVieira de Mello were killed (see Section 9.2).
Telegram 128 IraqRep to FCO London, 20 August 2003, Iraq: Electricity: What Went Wrong and
What is Being Done.
353
Report Horne, 12 August 2003, Report on the Electrical Problems in the Basrah Area.
354
Telegram 128 IraqRep to FCO London, 20 August 2003, Iraq: Electricity: What Went Wrong and
What is Being Done.
352
111
644. One member of DFID staff was slightly injured in the attack.355
645. The Annotated Agenda for the 28 August meeting of the AHMGIR reported that:
World Bank and IMF Missions, which were working from the UN building, have
been withdrawn. A number of NGOs are withdrawing their international staff. The
ICRC is thinning out its staff. The UN is maintaining operations, but some staff
have been withdrawn from Baghdad temporarily while decisions on future security
arrangements are made.356
646. The Annotated Agenda continued that, in the absence of some UN and NGO
international staff, and with additional constraints on remaining staff:
local staff should be able to continue to implement most existing humanitarian
and reconstruction programmes, including running the food distribution system,
at least in the short-term. However, there will be an immediate impact on new
programmes, which in many cases will not now go ahead.
647. A report into the incident commissioned by the UN recorded that, at the time of the
bombing, there were between 350 and 550 UN international staff in Baghdad.357 Although
most of those staff were withdrawn following the bombing, the UN Secretary-General
declined two recommendations from UN officials, on 2 and 22 September, to evacuate
all UN international staff from Iraq. By early October, there were between 20 and 30 UN
international staff in Baghdad and between 5 and 10 across the rest of Iraq.
648. Sir Hilary Synnott told the Inquiry:
After the attack the Spanish and Japanese Governments ordered their civilians
to leave. And on 30 August, of course, the UN ordered their expatriates to leave
also. Everybody else stayed.358
649. MrBearpark described the effect of the bombing in his evidence to the Inquiry:
on that day, an enormous body of knowledge, wisdom and ability was lost.
But the other factors were even more important than that. The first one was that, for
entirely understandable and probably correct reasons, the UN system [including]
the World Bank and the IMF withdrew from Iraq. It is very difficult to overstate the
chaos that caused for the CPA, because all your interlocutors suddenly vanished
that leads me on to the third factor .. which is that it recreated the animosity
within the CPA to the UN system it did enable the UN-disliking elements of the
CPA to feel justified in their original behaviour, even though very slowly, carefully and
Minutes, 28 August 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
Annotated Agenda, 28 August 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
357
The Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of UN Personnel in Iraq, 20 October 2003, Report of
The Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of UN Personnel in Iraq.
358
355
356
112
patiently during that period, June, July, August, the relationships had started coming
together very well.359
650. The Cabinet Office advised Ministers on 21 August that, conscious of growing
public frustration in the South with living conditions and the underlying causes of
the riots earlier in the month, the UK was taking action both in CPA(South) and with
CPA(Baghdad) to improve the delivery of basic services.360 CPA(South) and MND(SE)
were increasing fuel stocks, exploring ways to improve water supply, and working to
improve the electricity supply to the Basra oil refinery.
651. There had been a series of meetings in CPA(Baghdad) on electricity and
utilities. Ambassador Bremer had accepted all recommendations related to the
electricity problem in the South and authorised US$200m for immediate remedial work.
Electricity generation and transmission were to have top priority. The UK was seeking
further details.
652. On the same day, MrBenn met informally with MrDennis McShane, FCO Minister
for Europe, and MrAdam Ingram, MOD Minister for Armed Forces.361 The meeting
agreed that:
Sir Hilary Synnott needed operations support. DFID hoped to give Sir Hilary
delegated authority to spend UK funds when CPA(South) was fully staffed.
A strong UK delegation should attend the CENTCOM infrastructure
Conference the following week, which would produce a strategy for improving
Iraqs infrastructure. In parallel, a team from engineering firm Mott MacDonald
would visit Basra to prepare shorter-term proposals to improve power supply in
the South.
Thereafter, the UK should decide fast on remedial action. That might require
more UK expenditure if the CPA could not respond fast enough.
653. The Ministers directed officials to report to the 28 August meeting of the AHMGIR
on why so little of the funding allocated to CPA(South) had been spent.
654. An MOD official produced an informal record of the meeting for MOD colleagues
only.362 He commented:
DFID (Benn/[DFID junior official]) v[ery] helpful and forward leaning, going so far
as to identify fact that c. 30m of DFID allocation for Iraq remains unspent and that
perhaps now, and on utilities in the South, is the time and place to spend it
This prompted a sensible discussion (first I have heard at an Ad Hoc Group) of the
consequences of the CPA actually not delivering in the medium term in the South
Paper Cabinet Office, 20 August 2003, Update for Ministers 21 August 2003.
361
Letter Drummond to Owen, 21 August 2003, Iraq: Informal Ministerial.
362
Email IRAQ-AD SEC-S to PJHQ-J9-HDPOLOPS3-S, 21 August 2003, Not the Ad Hoc Ministerial.
359
360
113
Again FCO line was that Synnott would sort it out. Min(AF) made the point about us
expecting a lot from one man
there is no dispute that there is a problem, that something needs to be done and
that it may well involve spending money this is a significant step forward Most
significant appears to be [the] developing DFID thaw on [its] doctrinaire approach to
spending priorities.
655. The CENTCOM Iraqi Power Generation and Distribution Conference took place
in the US from 25 to 27 August.363 The objective of the Conference was to develop a
practical response to the challenges in Iraq, and encourage co-ordination.
656. The Inquiry has not seen a record of the Conference.
657. The 27 August meeting of the Chiefs of Staff was advised that the estimated cost
of the third course of action identified by Lt Gen Fry on 18 August that the UK should
step in to lead reconstruction in the South until the CPA could begin to deliver results
was US$91m.364 A decision on whether to proceed would depend on the results of the
CENTCOM Conference.
658. MrCrompton advised MrStraw in advance of the 28 August meeting of the
AHMGIR:
There is a head of steam within the MOD about the lack of progress on
reconstruction. As the military see it, the CPA in general, and CPA(South) in
particular, have failed to deliver. As a result, the Coalition is losing consent, the
military are having to take on tasks which should be undertaken by civilians, and
inthe process the military are becoming over-stretched and vulnerable.365
659. MrCrompton offered four conclusions:
We need to maintain pressure on DFID to deliver quick results. Their approach
so far has been too theological
Fixing these problems will require more staff (not less), particularly in the South.
Hilary Synnott has just requested an additional 34 secondees to work on
reconstruction issues. He should get many of these.
Concerns about security argue against putting in more staff, but holding staff
back will only compound the problem. The immediate solution is to strengthen
security measures in CPA(South)
All of this is going to cost a lot of money. I am not sure we will be able to do all
we need to do within current budgets The Treasury may have to look again
atthe sums they are providing.
Briefing DFID, 22 August 2003, Information Note: Iraq: Critical Infrastructure in the South.
Minutes, 27 August 2003 Chiefs of Staff meeting.
365
Minute Crompton to PS/Straw, 28 August 2003, Ad Hoc Ministerial.
363
364
114
660. Sir Hilary Synnott told the Inquiry that he requested 37 additional staff (not
generalists but experts) and 20 armoured vehicles.366
661. The Annotated Agenda for the 28 August meeting of the AHMGIR reported that the
situation in southern Iraq remained volatile.367 There was no evidence of a significant
change in local consent to the UK-led military presence, but the time available before
dissatisfaction with the pace of CPA delivery of services overflows is shrinking.
662. Ministers agreed that, subject to security concerns:
Officials should consider and implement measures to improve the power

situation in south-eastern Iraq.
Ministers should be advised on the impact on reconstruction of the withdrawal
ofinternational staff and measures to mitigate the impact.
Sir Hilary Synnott should be given such assistance and staff as he deemed
necessary to improve the workings of CPA(South).368
663. Ministers were advised on 29 August that the MOD had commissioned and now
received an action plan for immediate improvements to the power sector in the South.369
DFID expected to meet the cost (estimated at US$30m), although that might exhaust
their budget for Iraq for the year.
664. On the same day, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Sir David Mannings successor as the
Prime Ministers Foreign Policy Adviser, gave MrBlair his view of immediate priorities
forIraq.370 They included:
another surge in UK resources, both military (the MOD was undertaking a review
which was likely to lead to a proposal to increase UK troop numbers) and for
reconstruction (though UK numbers were dwarfed by the size of Ambassador
Bremers request to Congress371);
improving utilities, most immediately electricity generation in the South;
improving CPA media handling: a CPA media director (MrGary Thatcher, who
had previously worked on The Chicago Tribune372) would arrive, at last, that
day; and
a new resolution worth getting to spread the military and reconstruction load.

368
Minutes, 28 August 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
369
Paper Cabinet Office, 29 August 2003, Iraq: Update 29 August 2003.
370
Minute Sheinwald to Prime Minister, 29 August 2003, Iraq.
371
The US Administration submitted a request for US$20.3bn for reconstruction in Iraq to Congress on
6 September.
372
366
367
115
665. MrBlair wrote on Sir Nigels advice:

This isnt really working at present. I will have to reflect on how we progress
I need a meeting next week.373
666. On 1 September, Sir Hilary sent two telegrams from Basra, in response to a
request from No.10 for an immediate report, in advance of the meeting requested by
MrBlair, on what he needed.
667. In the first telegram, Sir Hilary assessed that:
The main immediate need is a vastly increased effort, well beyond the present
capabilities of CPA(South) or MND(SE), to provide visible improvements in the
provision of power, water and fuel in a short timescale.374
668. Under his direction, CPA(South) and MND(SE) had developed an Emergency
Plan for Essential Services in Southern Iraq (the Essential Services Plan), costed at
US$127m. This would be discussed with DFID officials visiting Iraq and MrBearpark,
and then submitted to the AHMGIR for approval. However:
More generally, the scale and nature of the problem is well beyond CPA(South)s
present capabilities, if we are to truly act as an Authority and provide direction
to others. I have bid for more staff and ancillary back-up and will be bidding for
more
669. Sir Hilary reported that CPA(Baghdad) had responded magnificently to his
request to bring forward the move to safer and larger premises from mid-November to
mid-October but, until then, CPA(South) was unsafe and overcrowded, despite DFID
holding back staff from returning after their breaks and the withdrawal of the Japanese.
670. Sir Hilary also reported that he had insufficient military protection vehicles to
carry out essential tasks, and that MND(SE) was proving most unwilling to the point of
refusal, to dedicate more of their forces for this purpose.
671. Sir Hilarys comments on the provision of secure accommodation and transport for
CPA(South) personnel are considered in Section 15.1.
672. Sir Hilarys second telegram contained a draft covering submission for the
Essential Services Plan.375 Sir Hilary advised that the Plan was based on work
undertaken by MND(SE) but had been meshed with a wider CPA(South) strategy for
the medium and long term. It was formally for CPA(Baghdad) to own and resource the
Plan but that is not quite how things work in practice there is a certain expectation
Manuscript comment Blair on Minute Sheinwald to Prime Minister, 29 August 2003, Iraq.
Telegram 9 CPA(South) to FCO London, 1 September 2003, Southern Iraq: What Needs to be Done.
375
Telegram 10 CPA(South) to FCO London, 1 September 2003, An Emergency Plan for Essential
Services in Southern Iraq.
373
374
116
that the regions should take a lead to sort out their own problems. Sir Hilary stated that
this was particularly true since his arrival.
673. Sir Hilary therefore requested:
funding for the Essential Services Plan;
the mobilisation of industry, in the UK and elsewhere, to participate in the Plan;
immediate mobilisation of UK personnel to implement the Plan;

establishment of extraordinary financial and contractual arrangements to allow
exceptionally rapid disbursement and effects;
creation of a high-level task force in Whitehall to make this happen; and
a start now.
674. MrRichmond offered a view from Baghdad on 2 September.376 He advised that,

after a slow start, the CPA recognised the scale and urgency of the infrastructure
problem. Ambassador Bremer had decided the answer was simple: a massive injection
of funds to kick start the renewal of Iraqs infrastructure, and had bid to the US
Congress for up to US$18bn for that purpose. Whether or not Congress approved that
funding was likely to have a decisive impact on Iraqs future.
675. MrRichmond commented that, while the UK could not match US spending power,
it would have to commit more financial and human resources, including:
more money for essential services, especially in the South; and

providing proper support and funding for the new UK staff in Iraq. MrRichmond
recommended that the newly-appointed Heads of the UK-led Governorate
Teams should each be given 1m, to spend at their discretion.
676. The meeting that MrBlair had requested in his note to Sir Nigel
Sheinwald took place on 2 September.377 MrStraw, MrHoon, MrBenn, Gen
Walker, SirRichardDearlove (C), MrJohn Scarlett (the Chairman of the JIC),
SirJeremyGreenstock (the Prime Ministers Special Representative on Iraq),
MrSawersand No.10 officials attended.
677. At the meeting, MrBlair said that he wanted action on Iraq taken forward with
aheightened sense of urgency. He asked for advice on eight issues, on the basis
of which he would prepare a note for President Bush before a telephone call on
5 September, including:
376
377
Infrastructure in the South. MrBlair wanted the maximum possible support

given to Sir Hilary Synnotts proposals for immediate infrastructure projects
inthe CPA(South) area, with appropriate military cover.
Telegram 147 IraqRep to FCO London, 2 September 2003, Iraq: Assessment and Recommendations.
Letter Cannon to Adams, 2 September 2003, Iraq: Briefing for Prime Minister.
117
CPA finances. What were the obstacles to funding? If there were delays, the UK
should be prepared to finance new operations in the South itself, in advance of
CPA funding.
Oil and electricity. How could progress be accelerated, and how could UK
industry be more involved?
678. In August, the UK reviewed its force levels in Iraq in the light of the deteriorating
security situation (see Section 9.2).
679. MrHoons Private Secretary wrote to MrRycroft on 4 September to report that:
in the light of the changing security situation in the South East of Iraq, and in
view of likely next steps by the CPA, the Defence Secretary had concluded that
there is an immediate requirement to deploy a further two infantry battalions and
certain specialist capabilities to Iraq. Furthermore, we intend to identify and put on
reduced notice to move a Brigade HQ, Infantry battalion and engineer capability
as a contingency to support the implementation of the CPA(S) plan for emergency
infrastructure work due to be delivered by Sir Hilary 378
680. The Essential Services Plan was submitted to the AHMGIR on 4 September, with
an implementation plan promised for the following week.379
681. The Plan stated that CPA(South)s intent was to improve essential services
over the short, medium and long term as part of the overall CPA reconstruction
strategy.380 However, the imperative of securing rapid and visible improvements and
forestalling erosion of Iraqi consent demands the urgent implementation of a short-term
emergency plan.
682. The Plan aimed to:
increase power supply, including by improving management, repairing

transmission and distribution systems, providing generators, and providing
spares and equipment;
increase fuel supply, including by improving and constructing new fuel
distribution and storage facilities, and improving gas distribution facilities; and
increase water supply, including by improving maintenance and refurbishing and
improving power supply to key water treatment plants.
683. The Plan was costed at US$127m, comprising US$90.5m for work to
improve the power supply, US$12m for fuel supply, US$23m for water supply and
US$1.25m for general programme support. Funds were to be provided by the CPA,
DFID or other sources.
Letter Williams to Rycroft, 4 September 2003, Iraq: UK Forces and Resources Review.
Annotated Agenda, 4 September 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
380
Paper [unattributed], 2 September 2003, Annex B: Strategy for the Essential Services in Southern Iraq.
378
379
118
684. To ensure a co-ordinated approach, CPA(South) would chair an Essential

Services Steering Group made up of Iraqi Directors General, MND(SE), relevant UN
agency Heads, NGOs and other relevant agencies. The Plan would be directed, at least
initially, by the MND(SE) Chief Engineer on behalf of Sir Hilary Synnott, supported by the
Mott MacDonald team.
685. The Plan stated that neither CPA(South) nor MND(SE) was staffed to manage
the rehabilitation of essential services. Staffing by generalists had achieved mixed
results; specialists were required to manage the work into the medium and long term.
686. At the AHMGIR meeting, MrBenn announced that DFID had already approved
20m for the Essential Services Plan, and that a project team would go to Iraq by
12 September.381 The UK should continue to seek money from the CPA, but must be
prepared to act fast on its own if necessary.
687. The AHMGIR endorsed the Essential Services Plan and stated that it should be
taken forward urgently.
688. MrBenn wrote to MrBlair later that day to confirm DFIDs commitment:
You asked for immediate action to support Sir Hilary Synnotts proposals for urgent
infrastructure projects in the CPA(South) area. I have today approved funding of
20m for consulting services, equipment, spare parts and rehabilitation works
It is expected to benefit over 5m people. The project will deliver over the next six
months but with tangible benefits due within weeks.382
689. The balance of funding for the Plan would need to come from the CPA:
We have held back from committing to meet the full cost, to avoid giving the
impression to the CPA that HMG [Her Majestys Government] wants to take on
full responsibility for the South of the country including the future funding of all
infrastructure. Such a commitment would be financially and logistically enormous,
and well beyond DFIDs budget. We need to keep pressing Bremer to make more
effective use of CPA resources, and in particular to transfer these funds and
delegate responsibility to Sir Hilary Synnott now
I hope this can be on your list of points to raise with President Bush.
690. MrCrompton visited Basra and Baghdad from 31 August to 3 September.383
He reported to MrChaplin on 5 September that the Coalition as a whole is only just
beginning to come to terms with the scale of the task we have taken on. The general
feeling was that the Coalition needed to throw massive resources at the problem now,
with a focus on accelerating the security work and essential services side. The US were
Minutes, 4 September 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
Letter Benn to Blair, 4 September 2003, Iraq: Restoring Essential Services in the South.
383
Minute Crompton to Chaplin, 5 September 2003, Visit to Iraq: 31 August to 3 September.
381
382
119
talking in terms of tens of billions of dollars; the UK needed to be thinking in terms of

much larger figures than it had to date, hundreds of millions of pounds, if not more, plus
a significant increase in staffing in the South and Governorates.
691. UK staffing in CPA(Baghdad) was about right, but CPA(South) and the other CPA
regions were woefully under-staffed. The UK would have to staff CPA(South) itself. The
Government should try to meet all of Sir Hilarys requests for additional staff.
692. Sir Hilary Synnott described the genesis of the Essential Services Plan in his
memoir.384 In early August, the UK military, spurred by security concerns and deeply
unimpressed by the available civilian capability, had contracted Mott MacDonald to
design a package of quick-impact, carefully targeted infrastructure projects, without
consultation with CPA(South) or other partners. Sir Hilary commented that, while
understandable, the furtive manner in which the [militarys] plan was conceived
amounted to a challenge to the civilian role in the South.
693. Once the militarys plan was completed, it could no longer be kept hidden.
SirHilary immediately realised that funding would have to come from CPA(Baghdad) or
London, and that they would provide funding only if the package was perceived to be
compatible with existing plans. He therefore convened a meeting between MND(SE)
andCPA(South) to develop a joint Essential Services Plan.
694. Sir Hilary Synnott also realised that the CPAs contracting and accounting
procedures were unlikely to produce the funds within the necessary timescale and that
CPA(Baghdad) might baulk at providing additional funding for CPA(South), which it
regarded as a side-show. DFID would not normally provide such a large amount of
money. Sir Hilary therefore proposed that DFID should kick-start the project with a
contribution of 20m, and then the UK should press the CPA to provide the balance.
However, if Baghdad proved obdurate, we could shame DFID into providing it.
695. In his evidence to the Inquiry, Sir Hilary said that the Essential Services Plan was
informed by his previous experience of reconstruction:
When I went round Baghdad in the early days the view I got from USAID and
others was that this place is broken and we have let out contracts to big American
firms to put it all right. My heart sank at that point because I knew how long big
projects took to get going, and I was also increasingly aware of the unpermissive
security environment. That reinforced me in my view that we should be going for
more of an emergency plan rather than big contracts, and I think, indeed, history
shows that virtually none of the big contracts ever came to fruition.385
Ltd., 2008.
385
384
120
696. In early September, Ambassador Bremer published a Seven Step Plan for the
restoration of Iraqi sovereignty (see Section 9.2).386 The Plan did not include a timescale,
although to most observers it appeared to mean at least a two-year Occupation.
697. On 5 September, Sir Nigel Sheinwald sent Dr Rice a Note from MrBlair for
President Bush ahead of their video conference later that day.387
698. In the Note, MrBlair proposed doubling the number of Iraqi police and speeding
up the process of letting reconstruction contracts. In the South, he had authorised the
CPA to just spend the money and recoup later from CPA(Centre). MrBlair expressed
support for Ambassador Bremer, and queried whether he had all the administrative and
technical support he needed.
699. On the media, MrBlair wrote:
Media: My obsession. I understand that Gary Thatcher is making a big difference.
But there are five terrestrial channels to fill apparently, there is a fear that bringing
in outside i.e. US/UK networks would be a problem for the Governing Council.
Thats a pity, if true. Because the obvious solution is for us to task one of the
big companies to sort it out. We need this fast. It is essential to keep building Iraqi
consent and understanding.388
700. MrBlair concluded:
So my basic point is: the problem is not complex to identify: it is security. The best
solution is not us or at least us alone but the Iraqis. It is speed in building their
capacity security, intelligence, infrastructure, media that we need.
701. MrCannon reported to MrStraws Private Office on 5 September that, during the
video conference, MrBlair had recommended to President Bush that a new impetus
should be given to infrastructure reconstruction, both short-term and longer-term
projects, and had expressed concern that there were problems in transferring funds for
infrastructure projects from CPA(Baghdad) to CPA(South).389 MrBlair had also asked
whether Ambassador Bremer needed more administrative/technical support, including
toreinforce the civil effort in the Provinces.
702. MrCannon also reported that Dr Rice and Sir Nigel would draw up a list of
concrete measures that could be taken to improve the situation.
703. Sir Nigel and Dr Rice discussed those measures later that day, and on
11 September Sir Nigel sent Dr Rice a UK/US Action Plan which sought to define
Dobbins J, Jones SG, Runkle B & Mohandas S. Occupying Iraq: A History of the Coalition Provisional
Authority. RAND Corporation, 2009.
387
Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 5 September 2003, [untitled], attaching Note [Blair to Bush], [untitled].
388
Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 5 September 2003, [untitled], attaching Note [Blair to Bush], [untitled].
389
Letter Cannon to Adams, 5 September 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Video-Conference with Bush,
5 September.
386
121
ourobjectives and specify ongoing and future actions.390 It set out shared (US and
UK)objectives and UK actions on security, intelligence, infrastructure, media and
CPA personnel.
704. On infrastructure, the objective was a radical and rapid improvement in basic
service provision (particularly water, electricity and fuel) to maintain Iraqi consent. The
UK had contributed US$30m to the US$127m Essential Services Plan; the balance
would come from the CPA. No other UK actions were identified.
705. On the media, the objective was to counter distorted reporting by Al Jazeera and
other satellite channels. The UK would provide support to the Iraqi Media Network, the
CPA, and for the longer-term development of indigenous Iraqi media.
706. On CPA personnel, the objective was to provide more specialist support for the
CPA in Baghdad and the provinces. The UK was recruiting 37 specialists for CPA(South)
and would provide more as requested, had selected four individuals to head CPA
Governorate Teams, and would provide additional information and SSR specialists for
CPA(Baghdad).
707. Sir Nigel and Dr Rice went through the Action Plan during Sir Nigels visit to
Washington from 11 to 12 September.391 Sir Nigel reported to MrBlair:
We [US and UK] share objectives; and there now appear to be detailed plans
under development by the CPA in all the priority areas.
708. Sir Nigel and Dr Rice agreed that there would be regular video conferences
between London, Washington and Baghdad to ensure we are all working from the
same script.
Pressure to provide additional funding for reconstruction

709. Hard Lessons described how, in July and August 2003, the CPA had developed
a request for additional funding for reconstruction prompted by the projected US$23bn
financing gap in Iraqs draft 2004 budget.392 Ambassador Bremer sent a request for
US$20.3bn to Washington in early August; the request was formally submitted to
Congress on 6 September.
710. The CPA advised Congress that Iraq required between US$50bn and US$75bn
for reconstruction; it planned to present a rich package of projects to the forthcoming
Madrid Donors Conference to attract funding from the international community.
Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 11 September 2003, Iraq attaching Note 10 Downing Street, 10 September
2003, Iraq: UK/US Action Plan 10 September.
391
Minute Sheinwald to Prime Minister, 14 September 2003, Visit to Washington.
392
Office, 2009.
390
122
711. Treasury officials advised MrBrown on 5 September that pressure was building
for significant, additional UK contributions to reconstruction and security in Iraq, both
from international partners and from within Whitehall.393 That pressure was generated
by emerging reports on the substantial size of Iraqs financing gap for 2004 (now
estimated at between US$1bn and, according to new figures from the CPA, US$20bn)
and MrBlairs emphasis on the need to deliver tangible and rapid progress through both
additional military resources and reconstruction.
712. Treasury officials advised that DFID were developing a case for a substantial UK
contribution to meeting the financing gap, which could be announced at the forthcoming
Madrid Donors Conference. The US had approached the FCO to ascertain the UKs
position on additional financing for reconstruction, and discussions were beginning
between international development ministries.
713. Treasury officials commented:
There is a growing and costly perception in Whitehall (and potentially parts of the
CPA and the US Administration) that if the UK wants to pull its weight, it should cover
10% of all costs In purely fiscal terms we cannot afford a contribution of this size
without a very substantial re-prioritisation of existing spending allocations
[Sir] Jeremy Greenstock, UK Special Representative in Iraq [sic], has hinted
that if we want to influence the outcome in Iraq and in particular the decision-making
process at the centre of the CPA, we have to buy our way in. We refute this. Our
military contribution was crucial to the success of the initial operation and our
ability to influence through political leverage should not be diminished significantly.
The main cause of agitation in the South, and in turn pressure on the UK to
increase troop levels and to contribute additional resources, is the fact that
resources are not arriving quick enough from CPA(Centre) to CPA(South). There
is a danger that this is because the US controls CPA(Centre) and are allocating
resources to their priority areas and are squeezing the areas where they perceive
the UK to lead. This backs up the view that we do not have enough influence in
CPA(Centre).
714. Treasury officials also advised that they were increasingly concerned over the
lack of a comprehensive, long-term strategy for Iraq, which led to continued ad hoc
spending. DFIDs recent decision to provide 20m to fund the Essential Services Plan
was an example of this. The decision left the UK exposed to providing further funding if
CPA resources remained inaccessible and/or costs escalated. The UK should continue
to push for CPA(Baghdad) to mobilise resources for use in the South rather than taking
on more of the burden itself.
Minute Treasury [junior officials] to Chancellor, 5 September 2003, Iraq: Financing Needs and
Implications for UK.
393
123
715. MrChaplin advised Sir Michael Jay on 9 September that the ideal way to
meet Ministers demands for quicker results in Iraq would be to put the new DFID
Iraq Directorate into an FCO-based structure.394 There was, however, very little chance
of DFID agreeing to that. The next best thing would be an enhanced FCO unit and
strengthened liaison with other Whitehall departments. The FCO would have to
rely on the Sheinwald group [the Iraq Strategy Group] to crack the whip over DFID
when necessary.
716. Later that day, MrStraw approved the creation of a new FCO Iraq Directorate
asthe inter-departmental body responsible for co-ordinating the growing volume of
Iraqrelated work across Whitehall. The Directorate is described in more detail later
inthis Section.
717. Baroness Amos wrote to MrBoateng on 10 September to request 6.5m from the
Reserve to cover immediate further needs in Iraq, and that a further 33.5m should be
ear-marked for anticipated requirements later in the financial year.395 Baroness Amos
stated that DFIDs budget for Iraq for 2003/04 was now fully committed. Of the 33.5m,
20m could be required for a further contribution to the Essential Services Plan if US
funding proved insufficient.
718. Baroness Amos wrote to MrBlair the following day to advise that DFIDs immediate
operational priorities were to ensure that the Essential Services Plan was fully funded
and to help the UN return to Iraq.396 On the former, Baroness Amos advised:
our overall approach has been predicated on CPA delivering more than it
has, and we have had negligible influence on them, or the Pentagon, to try and
turn it around. Immediate measures are now needed to maintain the Iraqi
populations consent.
719. The Essential Services Plan would help to improve essential services, but solving
the underlying problems in infrastructure would require billions of dollars and an Iraqi
Government to determine policy. Systemic problems within the CPA continued to delay
the transfer of promised CPA resources to the South. Baroness Amos concluded:
If CPA HQ and [the] US Government fail to get its act together quickly, then we can
only plug the gap if my earlier Reserve claim is approved.
720. Baroness Amos also advised that the UKs objectives for the forthcoming Madrid
Donors Conference in October were to get the Iraqi citizens in the driving seat, and to
secure a credible outcome on pledges, which required a credible Iraqi budget.
Minute Chaplin to PUS [FCO], 9 September 2003, Iraq: Restructuring IPU.

Letter Amos to Boateng, 10 September 2003, Iraq Reconstruction Funding: Reserve Claim.
396
Telegram 1 DFID to IraqRep, 11 September 2003, Iraq Reconstruction: Cabinet Discussion on
11 September.
394
395
124
721. Looking further ahead, Baroness Amos advised that DFIDs medium-term
priorities were self-evident: robust macro-economic policy planning and budget
management; reform of the public service; encouragement of civil society; and
facilitation of private investment. Specific activities would be informed by sectoral
assessments being undertaken by the World Bank, the IMF and UN agencies. As a
leading member of the Coalition, the UK would be expected to play a substantial part
infilling Iraqs financing gap.
722. On 16 September, MrStraw, MrHoon and Baroness Amos agreed that officials
should review the UKs approach to planning and preparation for post-conflict
situations.397 That work led to the establishment of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Unit (PCRU) at the end of 2004. Section 10.3 describes the development of the UKs
approach to planning and preparation for post-conflict reconstruction and the emergence
of the broader concept of stabilisation.
723. Sir Hilary Synnott reported to the IPU on 17 September that, setting aside
difficulties securing CPA funding for the Essential Services Plan, sources of funding
forCPA(South), including the US Commanders Emergency Response Program
(CERPs), were starting to be unblocked in Baghdad.398 Progress was largely because
of better communications between Baghdad and Basra but CPA(South) had also
radically streamlined its procedures.
724. The Annotated Agenda for the 18 September meeting of the AHMGIR reported that
MrBearpark had confirmed that CPA(Baghdad) would provide the US$97m required to
fully fund the Essential Services Plan, although the exact source of those funds had not
yet been identified.399
725. The Annotated Agenda also stated that the US had decided to establish a Program
Management Office (PMO) to oversee CPA reconstruction funds. The decision was a
response to the persistent problems in transferring funds from CPA(Baghdad) and CPA
regional offices, however:
Our initial response is sceptical: the PMO will manage predominantly US
funds, which will require US contracting and procurement procedures to be followed.
The prospect of developing Iraqi capacity, and of opening up contracts to include
UK companies (in the interests of effectiveness and value for money) remains
negligible. Nevertheless, without participating in some form in the PMO, we may
lose a point of influence.
Minute [unattributed], 17 September 2003, Meeting of the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs,
Defence and International Development 16 September 2003 at 2.15pm.
398
Email Synnott to Crompton, 17 September 2003, Funding for CPA(S): Looking Better.
399
Annotated Agenda, 18 September 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
397
125
726. The Annotated Agenda stated that if the US$97m required to complete
the Essential Services Plan were channelled through the PMO, that might delay or
prevent disbursement.
727. At the AHMGIR meeting, FCO officials reported that the CPA had produced a
coherent strategy for improving the quality of the Iraqi Media Network.400 Much could be
funded by the CPA, but the UK should provide niche assistance, including expertise,
where best we could.
728. Gen Walker said that there needed to be visible action on the Essential Services
Plan before Ramadan.
729. Baroness Amos reported that MrBenn and MrChakrabarti were in Iraq attempting
to ease CPA funding. If that funding was not secured within four weeks, the Treasury
would need to be approached.
730. Ministers asked officials to consider the UKs involvement in the PMO further.
731. Ministers also agreed that officials should produce costed proposals for UK support
on the media as soon as possible for discussion with the Treasury.
732. General Mike Jackson, Chief of the General Staff, visited Iraq from 12 to
15September.401 He reported to Gen Walker on 17 September:
He [Maj Gen Lamb, GOC MND(SE)] does not require a third additional battalion
or additional RE [Royal Engineers] squadron at the moment and is confident that
he can meet any potential tasks that arise from the Essential Services Plan. There
is therefore no requirement for an additional brigade HQ at this stage. This may
change and we need to remain responsive to the needs of the GOC.
733. Sir Hilary wrote in his memoir that he raised the need for additional support from
the UK military with Gen Jackson during his visit:
I explained that I had noted that the Army Headquarters judged that, despite the
deteriorating security, their position was sustainable with their existing troop levels.
In contrast, my organisations position was not If we were to travel to meet Iraqis
and visit the other provinces our staff now needed to be escorted by military
vehicles
From then on, we had a steady and reliable system of escorts. They were inevitably
never as much as we needed, so we had to cut back on our visits; but we
sustained a reasonable level of activity.402
Minutes, 18 September 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Minute CGS to CDS, 17 September 2003, CGS Visit to Op.TELIC 12-15 Sep 03.
402
Ltd., 2008.
400
401
126
734. Gen Jackson called on Baroness Amos on 18 September.

735. Baroness Amos briefing for the meeting advised that, while the relationship
between the military and DFID was strengthening, there had been a number of
misunderstandings, many of which stemmed from the difference in approach between
the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) and DFID:
the military could draw on ODA financing in support of UK political (and thus
military) objectives. The International Development Act now ties DFID down to much
more stringent conditions for funds disbursement 403
736. The briefing warned that Gen Jackson might draw unfavourable comparisons
between the UKs reconstruction effort in Kosovo and Iraq:
Without the CPA delivering There is a reasoned argument that HMG should
have planned to support its military effort with a civilian colonial effort, and
[Gen] Jackson may be of the view that DFID should have mounted a bilateral UK
operation similar to Kosovo, carrying out immediate infrastructure work, repairing
schools, hospitals and so on. Not only was this not the strategy adopted by
HMG [Her Majestys Government], but a similar DFID effort would not have been
possible. Kosovos size, population, level of local consent, and interim governance
arrangements were entirely different. A wider colonial role is neither DFIDs role nor
our comparative advantage.
737. During the meeting, Gen Jackson said that the International Development Act (IDA)
had created conceptual and procedural difficulties which worked against a centralised
HMG effort.404
738. Baroness Amos responded that, while the IDA had changed the way that
DFID worked, it was still able to work with the military effectively. There was a need to
prepare and plan better for post-conflict reconstruction particularly in the very fragile
transition stage.
739. Baroness Amos continued:
We had all been failed by the CPA HMGs decision to put so much faith in the
CPA was compounded by our failure to understand the US way of doing things
DFIDs 20m infrastructure project in the South in expectation of a further and
larger funding allocation for infrastructure from CPA(Baghdad) was moving in the
right direction but we could not be complacent and had to make contingency
arrangements in case CPA funding did not come through.
Minute DFID [junior official] to PPS/Secretary of State [DFID], 16 September 2003, Meeting with
General Sir Michael Jackson, Chief of the General Staff Thursday 18 September.
404
Minute DFID [junior official] to PPS/Secretary of State [DFID], 23 September 2003, Meeting Note:
General Sir Michael Jackson CGS.
403
127
740. MrBenn and MrChakrabarti visited Iraq from 17 to 19 September.405 On his return,
MrBenn wrote to MrBlair:
Security remains the concern. Provided we get this right alongside the politics,
reconstructing Iraq is possible The Iraqis need to be helped to take charge. We
need to support them and to persuade the Americans (who hold very fixed views)
that this is both desirable and feasible.
Improving life for ordinary Iraqis is the main priority. Electricity, water and jobs
will maintain consent and therefore security. It is in the South that the UK can,
and must, deliver. Expectations are high. There is progress now on the Essential
Services Project and we are working on the right issues in the very short term
infrastructure, policing, and improving information to Iraqis In the medium term
we should focus our support on helping key Iraqi ministries rather than
CPA(Baghdad). Long term, we need to think about how we organise ourselves for
this kind of operation.
We have to recognise that our influence is limited with the CPA and Bremer,
although the UK presence there, and in particular Jeremy Greenstocks role in
Baghdad, is vital in staying alongside both. Therefore its what we can do in the
South that should occupy our practical, as opposed to our diplomatic, efforts.
We are still not getting our achievements across back in the UK
We must now turn our attention to the Madrid Donors Conference. We made
the point forcefully to Bremer, and encouragingly to the Iraqis, that the Governing
Council and the Minister of Finance should be on the top table We will need to
lobby other donors hard, and have a credible pledge to make ourselves
One major concern is the continuing problem with setting up the Independent
Advisory and Monitoring Board for the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI). Bremer
seems unconcerned, but it is going to make it very hard to get countries to put
money in if the international guardian of the DFI cant start work. Its embarrassing,
and someone will have to tell Bremer to sort it out, because he wont do so on his
own. In the light of the Conference, and our own pledge, we can then consider the
next stage of the UK reconstruction effort.
As we reflect on the Iraq experience, we do need to think about how HMG is geared
up to respond to the reconstruction phase of such operations. We are beginning to
do some thinking on this, but we need to learn lessons for the future.
741. Sir Hilary Synnott reported from Basra on 22 September that, while in Basra,
MrBenn and MrChakrabarti had agreed extraordinary procedures for the
disbursement of DFIDs 20m contribution to the Essential Services Plan, which meant
405
Letter Benn to Blair, 20 September 2003, My Visit to Iraq: 17-19 September.
128
that DFIDs funds should be available that day.406 Implementation of the Plan would start
at once. Sir Hilary reported:
In front of the Minister [MrBenn], Gen Lamb instructed his staff that the pins were
tobe removed from the DFID doll.
742. Two days later, in the context of an update of developments in Baghdad, Sir
Jeremy Greenstock, the Prime Ministers Special Representative on Iraq, reported:
London will hate me for saying this, but it is something keenly felt by the best
senior people in our military the UK has not yet put the intensity of resources into
the civilian side of our operation, in terms of both personnel and project money, to
convince the Americans that our analysis has to be listened to. If we watch our
housekeeping too carefully in this respect, we may be forced down the wrong road
I shall have to come back to this quite soon.407
743. A Treasury official provided advice to MrBoateng on 18 September on
how the Treasury intended to deal with the expected surge in Iraq-related claims on
the Reserve.408
744. Departments had seen MrBlairs call for a step-change in the UK effort in Iraq
(on 3 June) as a legitimate invitation to bid for more resources. Departments were
developing or considering seven bids. The largest of those was a bid being prepared
byDFID for around 250m, as the UKs additional contribution to Iraqs reconstruction.
The UK would need to make a pledge at the forthcoming Madrid Donors Conference.
745. The official advised that it was vitally important to maintain pressure on
departments, both at Ministerial and official level, not to submit claims in the first
place. The Treasury would also continue to push for greater co-ordination between
departments in funding Iraq programmes.
746. Treasury officials had concluded that the best course of action in the short-term
would be to continue to scrutinise claims on a case-by-case basis, in terms of valuefor-money, impact, robustness of the costing, and robustness of the risk management.
Departments would also have to provide clear evidence on the extent to which they
had reprioritised their existing resources to accommodate Iraq.
747. The availability of CPA funding was key. Some officials in CPA(South) had
stated that it was easier to secure funding from London than from CPA(Baghdad). The
Treasury should therefore continue to push for CPA(Baghdad) to fund initiatives in the
South, rather than providing a significant increase in UK funding, which could create
Telegram 26 CPA(South) to FCO London, 22 September 2003, South Iraq: Visit of Hilary Benn:
Knots Untied.
407
Teleletter Greenstock to Sheinwald, 24 September 2003, [untitled].
408
Minute Treasury [junior official] to Chief Secretary, 18 September 2003, Iraq Funding FY 2003-04:
Dealing with Reserve Claims.
406
129
expenditure overlaps and alleviate the pressure on CPA(Baghdad) to resolve the

problem of transferring resources to the regions.
748. MrBoateng replied to Baroness Amos request for 40m from the Reserve on
25September.409 He agreed to provide an additional 6.5m from the Reserve to cover
immediate further needs in Iraq, but rejected the request to earmark 33.5m for DFIDs
anticipated future needs, citing recent reports that [US] sources of funding are now
starting to be unblocked.
749. In his evidence to the Inquiry, Sir Suma Chakrabarti suggested that the exchange
had not occurred in isolation:
We had discussions [with] the Treasury but it was quite obvious to us that they
werent going to give any more than they already had They had put some money
in upfront [in late March 2003, for humanitarian assistance], but, after that, they said
it is time to reprioritise.410
750. Sir Nicholas Macpherson, Director General in charge of Public Expenditure from
2001 to 2005 and then Permanent Secretary at the Treasury, told the Inquiry that,
although it was totally open to Baroness Amos to challenge that response, she did
not.411 He pointed out that the US$100m announced by MrBrown in his 9 April budget
statement was never fully claimed by departments.
751. In a video conference with President Bush on 16 September, MrBlair commented
that MrThatcher had now set out a shopping list for the Iraqi Media Network, costed at
US$40m.412 The question of funding would be pursued with the CPA. The record of the
video conference was sent to the FCO.
752. MrStraw wrote to MrBoateng on 6 October, to bid for 13.9m from the
Reserve as the UKs contribution to improving the content and professionalism of the
Iraqi Media Network.413
753. MrBoateng replied to MrStraw on 16 October, rejecting the FCOs bid on the
grounds that he was not satisfied the proposal would deliver value for money and that
the FCO had not fully exploited existing resources.414
754. MrBoatengs decision on funding for the Iraqi Media Network was relayed to the
Iraq Senior Officials Group (ISOG) the same day.415 Sir Jeremy Greenstock, visiting
Letter Boateng to Amos, 25 September 2003, Iraq: Reconstruction Funding: Reserve Claim.
411
412
Letter Cannon to Adams, 16 September 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Video Conference with Bush,
16 September 2003.
413
Letter Straw to Boateng, 6 October 2003, Reconstructing the Iraqi Media Network: Claim on the
Reserve.
414
Letter Boateng to Straw, 16 October 2003, Iraq Reserve Claim: Reconstructing the Media Network.
415
Minute Dodd to Sheinwald, 20 October 2003, Iraq: Senior Officials Group.
409
410
130
from Baghdad, said that it would be difficult for him to return to the CPA without any UK
funding, and that more generally the absence of financial flexibility was making our work
harder in Baghdad.
Staffing the CPA and new structures in London

755. The FCO sent an update on UK staffing in the CPA to Sir Nigel Sheinwald on
9September.416 Staffing in CPA(Baghdad) was about right, at 60 secondees. A major
rotation of staff over the next two months would be an opportunity to increase the
UKs focus on Ministerially-agreed priorities of Governance, Security Sector Reform,
Reconstruction and the Economic/Oil Ministries. There might also be a requirement to
place a few additional staff in the CPAs Information Directorate.
756. The FCOs priority was staffing CPA(South) and the Governorate Teams. The
37specialists for CPA (South) requested by Sir Hilary Synnott would be sourced through
aDFID consultancy contract. The aim was to have them ready to deploy by mid-October.
757. Heads had been selected for the four UK-led Governorate Teams (Basra and
Dhi Qar in the south, Wasit in central Iraq, and Kirkuk in the north). The first, MrJohn
Bourne, had deployed to Baghdad for a familiarisation briefing before taking up post
in Dhi Qar (Nasiriyah). The other three would follow later in the month. The FCO had
planned to fill just four slots in each team, but it was clear that the CPA bank of staff is
dry and that we should plan on filling our Governorates ourselves. The objective was to
have all staff in place by the end of September.
758. The remaining three Governorate Co-ordinators deployed to Iraq by the UK were:
MrHenry Hogger (Basra), deployed on 24 September;

MrMark Etherington (Wasit), deployed on 29 September;
MrPaul Harvey (Kirkuk), deployed on 29 October.417
759. The Inquiry has not seen terms of reference for the UKs four Governorate
Coordinators, but appointment letters sent to seven others by Ambassador Bremer on
25 September and published by the DoD, defined their role and lines of command within
the CPA:
You are the CPAs principal representative to the local governments in [name of
governorate]. You will lead a Governorate Team (GT) comprised of a CPA staff
element, a military Governorate Support Team, a contracted Local Governance
Team, and Iraqi advisors.
The GT will provide local governance; identify, train, and mentor local Iraqi leaders
for roles within future Iraqi government; monitor local contracts and provide
416
417
Letter Adams to Sheinwald, 9 September 2003, Staffing for CPA Iraq.

Contact list, 12 January 2004, UK Personnel Deployed (As at 30 Dec 03).
131
program management; coordinate with Coalition military and non-governmental

organizations; and advise local government ministry officials
You will report to me through the [CPA] Director of Operations and Infrastructure
for operational matters and through the [CPA] Director of Governance for political
issues. You may draw on the Regional Coordinators and CPA staffs as needed for
technical program and support.418
760. On 1 October, Sir Jeremy Greenstock commented to London that those lines of
command were complex.419 He also confirmed that his office had agreed with CPA
officials that the UK would deploy personnel into the CPAs GTs only when Sir Jeremy,
the FCO and DFID were satisfied that appropriate security measures were in place. In
practice, that meant that, until additional security measures were in place, all UK staff
would be deployed to Wasit, Tamim and the four Governorates in CPA(South).
761. In a briefing note to all staff on the role and purpose of CPA(South), dated
12November, Sir Hilary Synnott described the relationship between the Governorate
Teams, Baghdad and CPA(South) as complicated, though he saw no reason why they
should not become workable and mutually advantageous.420 He added that difficulties
in the relationship between the Governorate Teams and the regional centre pale into
insignificance beside those in mastering what is going on in Baghdad.
762. The UK Government has not been able to provide the Inquiry with precise
figuresfor UK personnel deployed to the GTs. A contact list for UK personnel in Iraq
on 30 December 2003 showed 48 UK personnel (including close protection teams)
deployed to GTs across Iraq, 36 of them in the four southern governorates of Basra,
Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna, the others to Wasit and Kirkuk.421 Figures for each
Team were:
Basra 22 (including a close protection team);
Muthanna 1;
Dhi Qar 4;
Maysan 10 (including a close protection team and Deputy Governorate
Co-ordinator, MrRory Stewart, who served as acting Governorate Co-ordinator
between September and November);422
Wasit 4;
Minute Coalition Provisional Authority Baghdad, 25 September 2003, Letters of Authorization for
Governorate Coordinators attaching Letter Bremer, 25 September 2003, Governorate Coordinator
Appointment.
419
Telegram 191 IraqRep to FCO London, 1 October 2003, UK Governorate Manning.
420
Paper Synnott, 12 November 2003, CPA (South): Its Role and Purpose, reproduced in Synnott H.
Bad Days in Basra: My Turbulent Time as Britains Man in Southern Iraq. I B Tauris & Co Ltd., 2008.
421
Paper [unattributed], 12 January 2004, UK Personnel Deployed (As at 30 Dec 03).
422
Stewart R. Occupational Hazards. Picador, 2006.
418
132
Kirkuk 7 (including Ms Emma Sky, who had been the senior CPA civilian
inKirkuk since June).423
763. The RAND history of the CPA, Occupying Iraq, stated that it took six months
to get CPA officials into Iraqs 18 governorates and that the small staffs were often
overwhelmed by the scale of their responsibilities.424 Teams sent weekly reports
to CPA(Baghdad), but progress (or the lack thereof) at the provincial and local
level depended largely on the initiative and improvisation of individual governorate
coordinators and military commanders.
764. The new FCO Iraq Directorate, which MrStraw had agreed the previous month,
was established on 16 October.425 It was headed by MrJohn Buck, reporting to MrJohn
Sawers, the FCO Political Director. MrChaplin remained closely involved in the political
process and regional aspects as FCO Director Middle East and North Africa.
765. The Directorate comprised three units:
the Iraq Policy Unit (IPU), headed by MrCrompton, covering the political
process, UN issues, fiscal and monetary policy, human rights, bilateral affairs
and travel advice;
the Iraq Security Sector Unit (ISSU), headed initially by MrRobert Chatterton
Dickson, to be replaced from 29 October by Ms Kate Smith, covering
politicomilitary affairs, liaison with the MOD, reconstruction and training of the
Iraqi army and police forces and co-ordination of security assessments; and
the Iraq Operations Unit (IOU), headed by MrPhilip Parham, covering civil
reconstruction, liaison with DFID, media development and deployment of and
support for UK personnel in the CPA.
766. On 27 October, Sir Hilary Synnott requested a further 44 staff for CPA(South) to
cover political reporting, governance issues and CPA(S) internal support, in addition to
the 37 specialist staff that he had requested at the end of August.426 Sir Hilary reported
that DFID was arranging recruitment of the 37 specialists.
767. The 14 November meeting of the ISOG was advised that the first 10 to
15specialists of the 37 requested by Sir Hilary at the end of August, would deploy
thatmonth.427 The bulk would follow in December.
Public hearing Sky, 14 January 2011, pages 9-10.

Dobbins J, Jones SG, Runkle B & Mohandas S. Occupying Iraq: A History of the Coalition Provisional
Authority. RAND Corporation, 2009.
425
Minute Buck to All Departments, 16 October 2003, Creation of Iraq Directorate.
426
Telegram 38 Basra to FCO London, 27 October 2003, CPA(South): Staffing Requirements.
427
Minutes, 14 November 2003, Iraq Senior Officials Group meeting.
423
424
133
First cross-Whitehall Strategy for Iraq

768. A draft UK Iraq Strategy was circulated to members of the AHMGIR for comment
on 26 September.428
769. The final version was issued to members of the AHMGIR by the Cabinet Office
on 8 October after those Private Offices who responded indicated their Ministers
endorsement.
770. Sir Nigel Sheinwald annotated his copy: I dont see a need for PM [MrBlair]
toseethis.429
771. The Strategy acknowledged the CPA Strategy published in July 2003 and
statedthat this was a longer-term UK Strategy for Iraq that was broadly consistent
with the CPA Strategy, but which set the framework for specific UK activities towards
acommon objective.430
772. The Strategy identified the UK objective as:
Iraq to become a stable, united and law-abiding state, within its present borders,
co-operating within the international community, no longer posing a threat to its
neighbours or to international security, abiding by all its international obligations and
providing effective representative government, sustainable economic growth and
rising living standards to its entire people.
773. The Strategy stated that:
Successful reconstruction required the widest possible international support.

Getting the UN and IFIs engaged would increase the chances of securing that
support.
The US had far greater resources than the UK, but UK influence over US policy
was limited and the UKs approach would be vulnerable to shifts in US thinking.
The UK was active at a national level, but UK assets were concentrated in the
South where the UK was most exposed to the consequences of failure.
There were few quick fixes for essential services. Improvement would
require multi-year projects even beyond the scope of the CPA if it receives
US$20bnfrom Congress. Nevertheless, the UK needed to demonstrate
some visible progress in improving living standards in order to maintain local
consent. For the UK in CPA(South), that would require more funding and more
skilledpersonnel.
Minute Dodd to Sheinwald, 8 October 2003, UK Iraq Strategy attaching Paper Cabinet Office,
7 October 2003, UK Iraq Strategy Paper.
429
Manuscript comment Sheinwald on Minute Dodd to Sheinwald, 8 October 2003, UK Iraq Strategy.
430
Paper Cabinet Office, 7 October 2003, UK Iraq Strategy Paper.
428
134
774. The Strategy stated that to help planning, Iraqs recovery should be considered
in three phases: stabilisation, to December 2003; recovery, to December 2004; and
normalisation, from January 2005. The Strategy defined UK objectives for each phase
in relation to security, the political process and reconstruction.
775. The UKs over-arching reconstruction objective for the stabilisation phase
(to December 2003) was that Iraq would reach pre-conflict levels of development
and order.
776. The objective for the recovery phase, to December 2004, was that Iraq
would exceed pre-conflict levels of development and order, and plans would be
being implemented to develop Iraqs own capacity to lead economic and physical
reconstruction.
777. The objective for the normalisation phase, from January 2005, was that Iraq
wouldbe largely self-supporting, providing its own public services and with a growing
market-based economy.
778. The Strategy acknowledged that this scenario was ambitious. Risks to progress
included resistance to the Coalition and slow progress on the political process and
reconstruction. A protracted occupation would be costly, increase anti-Western sentiment
across the region and provide further reason for terrorist attacks in US and UK interests.
779. The UK would continue to be active in a number of areas but would, as Ministers
had directed, focus its engagement on economic management, SSR and oil. An Action
Plan covering the stabilisation phase was being developed.
780. On resources, the Strategy stated that the UK military occupation force would cost
around 1bn in 2003/04 (and less in future years). The DFID programme for 2003/04
was 201m and was fully committed. Of the 60m provided by the Treasury in April, the
FCO had been allocated 21m to cover CPA staff and security costs, and DFID had bid
for the remaining 40m.431
781. Looking ahead, the Strategy stated that departments bids for funding for Iraq for
2004/05 would be subject to negotiation with the Treasury. An appropriate level of UK
contribution to reconstruction and development was being considered in the light of
Iraqs needs, Iraqi and international contributions, and the UKs resource position.
782. Sir Suma Chakrabarti told the Inquiry that the UK Strategy was:
Very important, but quite high-flown sort of stuff and not really linked to operational
detail.432
The Treasury had agreed on 25 September to provide DFID with an additional 6.5m from the Reserve,
but rejected its request to earmark 33.5m for anticipated future needs.
432
431
135
783. Sir Suma added that, as the UK Strategy did not satisfy DFIDs need for
operational detail, DFID produced its own strategy (the Interim Country Assistance Plan)
at the beginning of 2004.
Lobbying for a level playing field for UK businesses

784. The UK Government continued to lobby the US and the CPA for a level playing
field for UK companies bidding for CPA contracts in Iraq (see Section 10.3).
785. Trade Partners UK (TPUK), the division of British Trade International (BTI)
responsible for promoting UK exports, produced an update on commercial issues on
Iraq for MrBlair on 10 October.433
786. TPUK advised that their strategy was:
to position UK firms as best we can through the provision of information about
contacts, procurements issues, etc, and to press the US authorities (and the CPA)
toensure a level playing field on which UK companies can compete.
787. In response, the US had made it clear that, while it welcomed the participation of
UK companies, there was no special deal.
788. The update concluded that UK firms were doing quite well given that most of the
work so far had been US-funded.
789. UK Government lobbying on behalf of UK business intensified in early 2004, in
anticipation of the contracts that would flow from the additional funding for reconstruction
requested by the CPA and against a background of growing press and Parliamentary
criticism that UK companies were at a disadvantage in bidding for US-funded contracts.
Madrid Donors Conference, 23 and 24 October 2003

790. The Annotated Agenda for the 2 October meeting of the AHMGIR stated that the
UKs primary objective for the Madrid Donors Conference, which would be held on
23 and 24 October, was to broaden international support for reconstruction in Iraq and
secure the necessary funding for it.434 The Conference should also:
demonstrate international support for Iraqi proposals for political and economic
progress;
recognise the Governing Council and Ministers as the principal interlocutors for
donors;
endorse the Iraqi budget for 2004 and the priorities identified by the IFI/UN
needs assessments;
Letter Zimmer to Rycroft, 10 October 2003, Iraq: Update on Commercial Issues attaching Paper
TPUK, 10 October 2003, Iraq: Update on Commercial Issues.
434
Annotated Agenda, 2 October 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
433
136
agree finance for Iraqs reconstruction, preferably using the Multi-Donor Trust
Fund; and
note the Paris Club process for addressing Iraqs external debt problems.
791. The Annotated Agenda stated that many donors felt excluded from the Madrid
process, disaffected by the lack of a clear political process and disinclined to pledge
before it is sorted out. There were a number of issues to resolve before UK objectives
could be achieved:
clarity on financing needs;

a clear timetable to Iraqi sovereignty;
a clear financing mechanism;
agreement on the role of the IAMB;
engaging IFIs and quality donors to ensure reconstruction was effective;
a more inclusive approach to managing the Conference; and
a credible UK pledge to leverage others.
792. If the Conference did not deliver the necessary international support, the US might
need to fund the major requirements for 2004 with limited help from Coalition partners,
including the UK.
793. The AHMGIR agreed that Ministers and MrBlair should lobby their counterparts
onthe lines proposed.435
794. The AHMGIR also agreed that the CPA should be funding projects in CPA(South).
UK funding was small compared with US funding, and the Reserve was already under
pressure.
795. The UN and World Bank presented the main findings of their Joint Needs
Assessment (JNA) to the Conferences Core Group (the United Arab Emirates, the US,
the EU and Japan) on the same day.436 The JNA estimated that Iraqs overall stock of
reconstruction needs over the period 2004 to 2007 was US$36bn. In addition, the CPA
had estimated that US$20bn was needed in critical sectors not covered by the JNA,
including security and oil. Iraqi oil and tax revenues and private sector financing would
reduce the need for external financing.
796. Baroness Amos wrote to MrBoateng on 3 October, to propose that DFID could
provide up to 130m from its core budget for financial years 2004/05 and 2005/06, as
part of a UK pledge at Madrid.437 That figure included 70m from DFIDs contingency
reserve, 50m from funds reallocated from other middle-income countries, and the
existing planned provision for Iraq.
Minutes, 2 October 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
UN, Press Release, 2 October 2003, UN/World Bank Present Iraq Reconstruction Needs To Core
Group.
437
Letter Amos to Boateng, 3 October 2003, Iraq Financing.
435
436
137
797. Baroness Amos advised that this contribution reflected Iraqs needs and DFIDs
commitments, including its commitment to increase the proportion of bilateral spend
allocated to low-income countries to 90 percent by 2005/06 and to establish a
1bnassistance programme for Africa by 2005/06.
798. Baroness Amos also advised that a significant amount of the pledge should be
allocated to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund, which would focus on the social sectors and
encourage similar contributions from other donors.
799. A Treasury official advised MrBrown later that day that DFID could probably
find 390m from its existing resources, and the Global Conflict Prevention Pool
(GCPP) a further 30m, giving a UK pledge of 420m for 2004/05 and 2005/06.438 She
recommended that the Treasury push DFID hard to find more from its existing resources.
800. No.10 responded to Baroness Amoss letter to MrBoateng on 4 October.439
MrRycroft said that MrBlair:
would like the UK to play a leading role within the international community
in this area. So he thinks that the UK pledge should be significantly larger than
Departments appear to be contemplating, in the order of 500m. This will need
toinclude genuinely new money, not the result of creative accounting.
801. The JNA was published on 9 October.440
802. The FCO reported the following day that the Core Group had agreed three
objectives for the Conference:
to endorse the priorities for reconstruction in Iraq;

to provide a forum for donors to make pledges of assistance; and
to agree a multilateral framework for assistance, including a Multi-Donor Trust
Fund administered by the UN and World Bank, separated from but co-ordinated
with the DFI.441
803. The 9 October meeting of the Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP) Sub-Committee
of the Cabinet agreed that the UK should pledge US$900m at the Conference.442
Minute Treasury [junior official] to Chancellor, 3 October 2003, Iraq: UK Contribution at Madrid Donors
Conference.
439
Letter Rycroft to Malik, 4 October 2003, Iraq: Madrid Donors Conference.
440
UN/World Bank, Press Release, 9 October 2003, Iraq: United Nations, World Bank Publish Needs
Assessment.
441
Telegram 55 FCO London to Brussels, 3 October 2003, Iraq: Madrid Donors Conference.
442
Minutes, 9 October 2003, DOP meeting.
438
138
804. Treasury officials sent an analysis of how we think this figure [US$900m] can be
achieved from within existing resources to MrBrown after the DOP meeting.443 Their
analysis (which totalled 544m, some US$908m) comprised:
201m already committed by DFID to Iraq for 2003/04;
12m from DFIDs Iraq programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06;
115m from DFIDs contingency reserve (Departmental Unallocated Provision

(DUP)) for 2004/05 and 2005/06;
50m from DFIDs other programmes in middle-income countries for 2004/05
and 2005/06;
30m from the GCPP, comprising the existing 15m allocation for Iraq for
2003/04 and 2004/05 and a further 15m in planned allocations for 2004/05 and
2005/06;
7.5m from the FCOs Global Opportunities Fund, representing possible future
allocations for 2004/05 and 2005/06;
30m from MOD allocations for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), comprising the
existing 20m allocation for 2003/04 and the estimated future allocation of
10mfor 2004/05;
60m announced in the 9 April 2003 Budget statement for humanitarian and
reconstruction activities in Iraq; and
38.5m as the UKs assessed share of European Commission aid to Iraq in
2003/04 and 2004/05.
805. MrBlair and other Ministers lobbied donors, including the US, the IMF, the World
Bank, and European and regional partners in the run-up to the Madrid Conference.444
806. The Annotated Agenda for the 16 October meeting of the AHMGIR reported that
the European Commission would pledge 200m (including the UKs assessed share
of 38.5m); apart from the UK, no EU Member State had yet declared a pledge.445
Germany and France had stonewalled when lobbied by MrStraw, but the UK expected
significant pledges from Italy (as a Coalition partner) and Spain (as Conference hosts).
Officials recommended that the UK focus its lobbying on Italy, Spain, Germany and the
Gulf states, all of which might contribute substantially.
807. The Annotated Agenda also reported that IFIs and the CPA had agreed terms of
reference for the IAMB, which should help preparations for Madrid.
808. In discussion, Ministers described the European Commission pledge as shameful
and agreed that they, MrBlair and officials should intensify their lobbying efforts.446
Minute Treasury [junior officials] to Chancellor, 9 October 2003, Iraq: Agreeing UK Contribution at
Madrid Donors Conference.
444
Minute Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 13 October 2003, Iraq: Senior Officials Group.
445
Annotated Agenda, 16 October 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
446
Minutes, 16 October 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
443
139
809. The UN Security Council adopted resolution 1511 on 16 October (see

Section9.2).447 The resolution urged Member States and international and regional
organisations to support Iraqs reconstruction, including by making substantial pledges
at the Madrid Donors Conference.
810. The IAMB was formally established on 24 October.448 It would not hold its first
meeting until early December.
811. Representatives from 73 countries, 20 international organisations and
13nongovernmental organisations and associations attended the Madrid Donors
Conference on 23 and 24 October.449
812. Donors pledged a total of between US$32.2bn and US$35.9bn, including:
The US, the largest contributor, pledged US$18.649bn.450
The World Bank pledged between US$3bn and US$5bn.
Japan pledged US$4.914bn, US$1.414bn on grant terms and up to

US$3.5bnon concessional loan terms, with the amount dependent on
security,political progress and progress on reconstruction and resolution of
Iraqs debt issue.
The IMF pledged between US$2.55bn and US$4.25bn.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait each pledged US$500m; the UK US$452m, Italy
US$236m, the European Commission US$235m, Spain US$220m, the United
Arab Emirates US$215m and South Korea US$200m.
A number of countries, including Germany, offered assistance in kind.
France did not make a pledge.451
813. The recorded UK pledge of US$452m excluded the UKs allocations for
humanitarian assistance, amounts that had previously been pledged, and the UKs
attributed share of European Commission development expenditure.
814. The Conference noted that an International Reconstruction Fund Facility for
Iraq (IRFFI) was being established, to help co-ordinate and channel funding from the
international community.452 The IRFFI would be administered by the World Bank and UN
in close co-ordination with the Iraqi authorities.
UN Security Council Resolution 1511 (2003).
IAMB for Iraq, Press Release, 24 October 2003, Establishment of International Advisory and Monitoring
Board.
449
International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, [undated], Conclusions by the Chair International
Donors Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq Madrid, 23-24 October 2003.
450
The US pledged U$20.3bn at the Conference subject to Congressional approval. The pledge was
subsequently revised to US$18.649bn.
451
International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, [undated], International Donors Conference for Iraq
Madrid, 23-24 October 2003: Summary Table by Donor.
452
International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, [undated], Conclusions by the Chair International
Donors Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq Madrid, 23-24 October 2003.
447
448
140
815. The Inquiry considers and refers to the IRFFI in terms of its two component parts
the World Bank Trust Fund and the UN Trust Fund.
816. The Annotated Agenda for the 6 November meeting of the AHMGIR reported that
the Conference had been more successful than first imagined, not least because of the
political commitment shown by the international community.453 The JNA and increased
certainty over the scale of resources available for reconstruction would enable DFID to
begin drafting a Country Assistance Plan.
817. Sir Nicholas Macpherson told the Inquiry that the Conference was probably the
key milestone in financing the reconstruction effort and had galvanised international
support for reconstruction.454
818. MrJim Drummond, DFID Director Iraq from September 2003 to December 2004,455
identified the Conference as one of DFIDs successes in the CPA period:
I think we [DFID] had helped to galvanise the international donor community
to contribute in Madrid. I think that was quite a success. Delivering after Madrid
became more of a challenge because of security, but in terms of bringing the
international community back together after what had been a fairly controversial
phase, then Madrid was a good point.456
819. MrDrummond also told the Inquiry that the proportion of the Madrid pledges to
reach Iraq varied quite a lot from country to country. With a lot of countries finding
itbecause they didnt have the capacity to spend difficult to deliver.457
Priorities for the last six months of Occupation

820. Section 9.2 describes:
the growing insurgency from October 2003 in Baghdad and the Sunni Triangle; and
the increasing US and UK concerns that Ambassador Bremers Seven Step Plan
for the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty would not lead to credible elections on the
basis of a legitimate constitution sufficiently quickly to retain the consent of the
Iraqi people.
821. Baroness Amos was appointed Leader of the House of Lords on 6 October.
MrBenn succeeded her as International Development Secretary.
Annotated Agenda, 6 November 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Statement, 15 January 2010, page 4.
455
MrDrummond had previously been Assistant Head of OD Sec in the Cabinet Office.
456
457
453
454
141
822. Sir Jeremy Greenstock reported to MrBlair on 15 October that, in contrast to

Baghdad and the Sunni Triangle:
a virtuous circle seemed to be building up in the South, with locals supporting the
reconstruction process and turning in to the Coalition outsiders who disrupted it.458
823. Sir Jeremy advised that, despite the success of British efforts in the South, the
success or failure of the Coalition project would be decided in Baghdad. It was vital
that the UK took a strong policy interest there. Limited UK funding (which Sir Jeremy
estimated at two percent of the US contribution) curtailed UK influence.
824. Sir Jeremy reported on 24 October that Gen Sanchez had ordered a
comprehensive review of security to try to regain operational momentum.459 Sir Jeremy
commented that the review represented a clear move from stabilisation towards
counter-insurgency operations.
825. On 26 October, the al-Rashid Hotel in the Green Zone of Baghdad, used as a
Coalition military base, was hit by a number of rockets.460 The attack killed a US soldier
and injured 15 other people, including a UK Treasury secondee to the CPA.
826. MrBearpark told the Inquiry that he viewed the attack as a turning point:
We [the CPA] were very, very clearly on an upward slope until then We believed
that the CPA was getting better at what it was meant to do and we were all optimistic
From [that point] onwards, then the graph just went sharply down.461
827. Sir Nicholas Macpherson told the Inquiry that the attack prompted the withdrawal
of all Treasury officials from Iraq.462 Some would return in January 2004, once secure
accommodation had been provided.
828. A 5 November JIC assessment advised that, by attacking a wider set of targets,
extremists aimed to undermine the Coalitions political objectives.463 Those targets
included international organisations:
Many NGOs have already withdrawn from Iraq and the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC), like the UN, intends to pull out most international staff.
Medecins Sans Frontieres has already decided to do so and others may follow.
Letter Cannon to Owen, 16 October 2003, Iraq: Sir Jeremy Greenstocks Call on the Prime Minister.
Telegram 230 IraqRep to FCO London, 24 October 2003, Iraq: Security Update.
460
BBC News, 26 October 2003, US shocked at Iraq hotel attack; Annotated Agenda, 6 November 2003,
Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
461
462
463
JIC Assessment, 5 November 2003, Iraq Security.
458
459
142
829. When MrBlair spoke to President Bush by video conference on 6 November, he

commented that the question was how quickly could we move to elections.464 MrBlair
thought the quicker the better, but both the Iraqis and we needed to be able to handle it.
830. MrBlair commented that with progress on infrastructure etc, we were now down
to a specific problem of how to deal with a small group of terrorists. MrBlair suggested
that some Sunni were desperate to be on our side and that infrastructure projects that
would benefit the Sunni community should be completed.
831. MrRichmond attended a meeting with Ambassador Bremer, General JohnAbizaid,
Commander US Central Command (CENTCOM), and Gen Sanchez to discuss
Sunnistrategy the following day.465
832. At Ambassador Bremers request, MrRichmond summarised the CPAs work
so far. Sunnis felt economically and politically excluded. The CPA was seeking to
address this by allocating more money for job creation and quick impact projects, and
by stepping up recruitment efforts for the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps (ICDC), police and
army in Sunni communities. There were no quick fixes. The CPA had to reassure Sunni
communities that their interests would be safeguarded, but that was difficult without
clarity on the political and constitutional process.
833. Gen Abizaid agreed that there needed to be a long-term strategy, but said that
he was more concerned with the next few weeks how to prevent the insurgency
from growing. He had met Sunni leaders in Mosul, and had come away with a
clear message: jobs and money. There also needed to be more flexibility on
deBaathification.
834. Gen Abizaid went on to outline the tough military plans to tackle the insurgency,
including in Fallujah. MrRichmond warned that any military action had to be carefully
targeted; a carrot and stick approach had to leave room for the carrot.
835. The AHMGIR agreed on 6 November that officials should continue to oppose the
CPAs privatisation policy.466
Challenging the CPAs privatisation plans

In mid-October, the CPA shared with the UK an early draft of an Order on Iraqi Ownership
Transformation, which covered the privatisation of Iraqi State-Owned Enterprises
(SOEs).467 The Inquiry has not seen a copy of that draft.
Letter Rycroft to Adams, 6 November 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Conversation with President Bush,
6 November.
465
Telegram 258 IraqRep to FCO London, 9 November 2003, Iraq: Sunni Strategy Meeting with Bremer
and Abizaid.
466
Minutes, 6 November 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
467
Telegram 108 FCO London to IraqRep, 24 October 2003, Iraq: Privatisation Order.
464
143
MrHuw Llewellyn, an FCO Legal Counsellor, advised the IPU on 22 October that he did
not consider that there was a basis either under occupation law or resolution 1483 for the
proposed Order.468
On 24 October, the IPU instructed UK officials in Baghdad and Washington to raise
the UKs concerns on the draft Order with US interlocutors.469 The IPU advised that
privatisation was the most fundamental economic policy difference we have with the US.
The UK shared the US interest in building the Iraqi private sector, but not to the extent of
supporting privatisation of Iraqi state assets by the CPA. US enthusiasm for privatisation
was not shared in Iraq. The UK believed:
There were significant risks in privatising SOEs before a functioning private sector
had been established. SOEs were unlikely to flourish, the Iraqi Government was
unlikely to secure a good return, and unemployment could increase.
Economic reform on the scale proposed had to be led by a representative Iraqi

Government.
The UK also had significant legal concerns about the legitimacy of the draft Order and the
CPAs authority to transfer ownership of Iraq state assets.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the Prime Ministers Special Representative on Iraq, called on
MrTom Foley, CPA Director for Private Sector Development, on 29 October to pass
on the UKs concerns.470 Sir Jeremy reported to the FCO that MrFoley had repeated
that all privatisations would take place under a sovereign Iraqi Government. Sir Jeremy
commented that MrFoleys assurances contrasted with other analysis that UK officials
had seen.
836. On 6 November, Congress approved the CPAs request for additional funds,
allocating US$18.4bn to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF2).471 The funds
were available for two years. Congress had allocated US$2.4bn to the Iraq Relief and
Reconstruction Fund (IRRF1) in April 2003.
837. Hard Lessons recorded that Congress imposed greater controls on IRRF2 that
it had on IRRF1.472 Those included a requirement to provide, by 5 January 2004,
acomplete list of proposed projects. Hard Lessons highlighted the scale of the task
facing the CPA:
The CPA now had less than two months to compile a list of projects, develop
a spend plan, and build an office [the PMO] to manage the largest foreign
reconstruction program in US history.
Minute Llewellyn to Crompton, 22 October 2003, CPA Draft Order on Iraqi Ownership Transformation
(Privatisation).
469
Telegram 108 FCO London to IraqRep, 24 October 2003, Iraq: Privatisation Order.
470
Telegram 239 IraqRep to FCO London, 30 October 2003, FCO Telno 108 to IraqRep.
471
Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003.
472
Office,2009.
468
144
838. By 6 November, the PMO consisted of a Director, Rear Admiral (retired) David
Nash, two US Government employees and 13 contractors. Of the 100 US Government
employees that Adm Nash requested, only eight arrived by January 2004.
839. Sir Nigel Sheinwald visited Iraq from 7 to 9 November.473 He reported to MrBlair
onhis return, describing two major problems in the political arena:
the failure of the Governing Council to get a grip and develop a political
profile; and
continued CPA civilian weaknesses; strategic communications in particular
remained a serious problem.
840. Sir Nigel also advised that he had put down some markers with Ambassador
Bremer on the pace of privatisation, which Ambassador Bremer had accepted.
841. Sir Nigel separately reported that Ambassador Bremer had told him that he did
notenvisage any major privatisations under the CPA.474
Responding to the new, shorter timetable for the transfer of

sovereignty
842. A DFID team visited Iraq at the end of October to draw up plans for short-term
support for public administration and the Governing Council.475
843. On 15 November, the Governing Council unveiled a timetable for the transfer of
power to a transitional administration by 30 June 2004, at which point the CPA would be
dissolved (see Section 9.2).476
844. The decision to transfer sovereignty to an Iraqi government earlier than had been
expected had significant implications for the reconstruction effort. The UK identified the
importance of reconstruction and in particular job creation programmes, in supporting
reconciliation and the political transition process.
845. Hard Lessons described the effect of the new timetable on the CPAs
reconstruction effort:
Reconstruction plans that had just been devised on a two-year timetable now had
to shift, and the rush began to prepare Iraqs Government to stand on its own in
seven months.477
Minute Sheinwald to Prime Minister, 10 November 2003, Visit to Iraq.

Minute Cannon to Owen, 12 November 2003, Iraq: Economic Issues: Sir Nigel Sheinwalds Visit
toBaghdad.
475
Letter Malik to Rycroft, 20 October 2003, Iraq: Public Administration.
476
Minute Figgures to CDS, 16 November 2003, SBMR(IRAQ) Report 047 of 16 November 2003.
477
Office, 2009.
473
474
145
846. The two-year timetable was a reference to the period covered by IRRF2, which
Congress had approved just over a week earlier.
847. Sir Hilary Synnott told the Inquiry that the whole idea of an early transfer to a
transitional Iraqi Government came as a surprise to him:
In the middle of November, much to our surprise, and in many well, in some
senses disappointment, it was decided that the CPA should wind up at the end of
June, and I was due to leave [at] the end of January. It became clear to me a
couple of months before that that the entire focus of Baghdads attention had shifted
from trying to make something work into, What are we going to do to run down?478
848. MrEtherington described the effect of the decision in Wasit:
The November 15 agreement abruptly turned [our] plans upside down. It arrived
without warning
We understood the political reasons behind it all, but my overwhelming feeling
at the time was of professional shame. Gone were our projections about training
and capacity-building, our carefully thought-through project work, and our plans to
nurture each of the Councils and steadily reform the branch ministries. We would
runout of time 479
849. MrBearpark told the Inquiry:
most decisions were being made by default, what was possible and what wasnt
possible. But to the extent that decisions were being taken, my view was that they
didnt look particularly stupid and that some of the sillier parts of these strategic
visions were just being quietly forgotten about
I dont think that the truncated timetable was an issue. I think the real issue was
just that, by then, security was spiralling out of control The only aspect where the
truncation had an impact was that it reopened the battle between the Department
of Defense and the State Department, and the final three months of the CPAs
existence were just one permanent battleground as to who would handle the
[US$]18.4bn, and in what way, after the CPA was abolished.480
850. Ambassador Bremer wrote in his memoir that he had discussed the implications of
the new timetable for reconstruction with senior CPA staff on 16 November, the day after
the announcement.481 He had asked each CPA Senior Adviser to identify the most urgent
tasks which had to be completed before the transfer of sovereignty, and advised them

Etherington M. Revolt of the Tigris: The Al Sadr Uprising and the Governing of Iraq. Hurst & Company,
2006.
480
481
Threshold, 2006.
478
479
146
that the CPA would have to move fast if projects were to have a useful impact in the
short time left.
851. Ambassador Bremer also wrote that, in a separate meeting on the same day, he
had advised colleagues that the transfer of sovereignty meant that the CPAs work to
phase out subsidies would need to slow down.
852. Maj Gen Andrew Figgures, Senior British Military Representative, Iraq, considered
the effect of the decision in his 16 November weekly report to Gen Walker:
From a planning perspective, the acceleration of the political process has shifted
the logic here from a position whereby the political process was dictated by
achieving the necessary conditions (security, economy etc) to enable sovereignty
transfer, to one where we will now be fighting to achieve the right conditions
according to a political timetable. All lines of operation (CPA and CJTF7) will now
require revision.482
853. MrJim Drummond, DFID Director Iraq, visited Iraq from 16 to 20 November.483 He
reported to MrChakrabarti that there were opportunities for DFID to help with budget
management, the Public Distribution System (the successor to the OFF programme),
statistics, the political process, donor co-ordination and public administration. On public
administration, MrDrummond advised:
All agree on the need to build the capacity of central Government. CPA advisers
praise the competence and qualifications of individual Ministry staff, but there is a
culture of central direction, outdated paper-based processes, and de-Baathification
has left inexperienced staff in senior positions.
With the 30 June deadline looming, Bremer wants to professionalise the Civil
Service fast. He is keen to have UK help.
854. MrDrummond also reported that progress was being made with resolving the
outstanding procedural issues on the World Bank and UN Trust Funds, and that he
would discuss with the World Bank and UN the prospects for spending, which will
depend on [Iraqi] ministries capacity to put forward fundable proposals.
The closure of the Oil-for-Food (OFF) programme

The OFF programme closed on 21 November, in accordance with resolution 1483.484
Ministers were advised that responsibility for remaining activity had passed to the
CPA and the Iraqi Ministry of Trade. It was not expected that there would be a threat to
food supply.
Minute Figgures to CDS, 16 November 2003, SBMR(IRAQ) report 047 of 16 November 2003.
Letter Drummond to Chakrabarti, 24 November 2003, Visit to Iraq.
484
482
483
147
855. Sir Hilary Synnott told the 25 November Iraq Strategy Group (ISG) that the
compression of the political timetable made other parts of the process, including
consultation, capacity building and infrastructure development, more difficult.485 He also
advised that increased consent in the South could not be taken for granted.
856. President Bush visited the UK from 18 to 22 November.486
857. Before the visit, MrRycroft gave MrBlair a copy of a paper by Sir Jeremy
Greenstock entitled Iraq: Security, for discussion with President Bush
(see Section 9.2).487
858. In the paper, Sir Jeremy argued that security must be the Coalitions highest
priority until the transition.488 He then set out a number of areas that needed to be
addressed, including:
Sunni strategy
Sunni outreach remains critical even while pursuing crackdown on FRE [Former
Regime Elements] activities in these areas. Civic and economic development
projects must be a priority. And we must help the IGC to sell the new political
process in the Sunni heartlands.
Economics
Absolute priority must be given to job creation
Managing the transition/drawdown
On civilian side, must not adopt mindset that June represents a cut off point. Will
have to stay engaged to assist the Iraqi Transitional Government find its feet.
Need to start thinking now about how this should best be done.
859. MrBlair gave President Bush a slightly revised version of the paper.489
860. On 19 November, the Cabinet Office informed Ministers that a combination
ofeffective lobbying by the UK in Washington and with the CPA, and similarly
strongreservations from the US Treasury, had led the CPAs plans to privatise SOEs
tobetaken off the policy agenda.490 The UK would press for similar proposals
with thepotential for social upheaval to be postponed beyond the formation of the
transitionalgovernment.
861. Dr Rice told Sir Nigel Sheinwald on 21 November that the US was reviewing the
CPAs reconstruction projects and that some aspects of economic policy, including
Minute Fergusson to Sheinwald, 26 November 2003, Iraq Strategy Group.

BBC News, 18 November 2003, Bush arrives for state visit.
487
Minute Rycroft to Prime Minister, 18 November 2003, Bush Visit Private Talks.
488
Paper Greenstock, 18 November 2003, Iraq: Security.
489
Paper [Greenstock], 20 November 2003, Iraq: Security.
490
Minute Dodd to Owen, 19 November 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers attaching Paper Cabinet Office,
19 November 2003, Iraq: Update for Ministers.
485
486
148
privatisation and monetising the food basket, would not be taken forward, to avoid
handing the incoming transitional administration an unemployment problem.491
862. The Annotated Agenda for the 27 November meeting of the AHMGIR
invited Ministers formally to reject the suggestion that the CPA should pursue radical
economic reform.492
863. The AHMGIR agreed that the UK should advocate a CPA economic policy of
capacity building and advice to Iraqi institutions rather than radical economic reform.493
864. The British Office in Baghdad offered an assessment of the state of Iraqs public
administration on 4 December.494 The reconstruction of Iraqi ministries appeared to
beprogressing only slowly. Major problems included:
Ministers authority was unclear.
Rationalisation of staffing and pay scales had been slow to non-existent,

leaving officials hanging around ministries with no real job.
Patchy de-Baathification had left many staff uncertain of their future and
ministers uncertain of their staffs loyalty.
865. The British Office in Baghdad commented that the new political timetable had only
added to the uncertainty.
866. A second DFID team visited Iraq in early December, to develop longer-term
programmes of support for public administration.495
867. Ambassador Bremer convened a Commanders and Leaders conference on
8 December, at which he instructed CPA staff to come up with a minimum of US$500m
in quick-dispersing projects that we could have under way by spring.496 There was
a political imperative in implementing projects as quickly as possible, so that the Iraqi
people could see progress on the ground before the transfer of sovereignty.
868. MrEtherington, who attended the conference, recorded in his memoir that
Ambassador Bremer announced that the CPA would triple spending over the next three
months to create jobs and cement politicalengagement.497
869. On 13 December, US forces captured former President Saddam Hussein.498
Letter Rycroft to Adams, 21 November 2003, Iraq: Meeting with Condi Rice, 21 November.
493
Minutes, 27 November 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
494
Telegram 187 Baghdad to FCO London, 4 December 2003, Iraq/Ministry Reconstruction.
495
Letter Drummond to Chakrabarti, 24 November 2003, Visit to Iraq.
496
Threshold, 2006.
497
Etherington M, Revolt of the Tigris: The Al Sadr Uprising and the Governing of Iraq. Hurst & Company,
2006.
498
BBC News, 14 December 2003, Bremers statement in full.
491
492
149
870. The Annotated Agenda for the 15 December meeting of the AHMGIR reported
that signals from the CPA on the desired pace and scope of economic reform before
transition were mixed.499 Some in the CPA had seen the accelerated political timetable
as a reason to accelerate the pace of economic reform. The UK believed that reform
over the next six months should be limited, but that did not mean inaction. The Coalition
should focus on:
building Iraqi capacity including in the budgeting system;

encouraging the IFIs to engage; and
preparatory work on removing barriers and stimulating growth, including debt
relief, fuel price liberalisation and SOE reform.
871. Ministers agreed that approach.500

872. Hard Lessons recorded that the CPAs progress towards free-market reforms
stalled in the face of disagreement within the Coalitions ranks, concern in the IMF and
opposition from Iraqis.501
873. In his statement to the Inquiry, Sir Nicholas Macpherson highlighted the role that
Treasury secondees to the CPA had played in successfully challenging some proposed
[CPA] policies that were not thought to be the right course of action notably negotiating
a wind-down on the policy of mass privatisation of Iraqi state assets.502
874. Ambassador Bremer hosted a Campaign Review meeting in Baghdad on
18December attended by senior US and UK civilian and military representatives
including Sir Jeremy Greenstock.
875. Ambassador Bremer opened the meeting by stating that the capture of Saddam
Hussein provided a huge opportunity.503 He outlined the military, political and
reconstruction action that was needed to exploit it. On reconstruction, the CPA would
spend US$400m over the next six months three times the amount for the previous
sixmonth period. Some 40 to 50 percent of that would be directed to Sunni areas.
Annotated Agenda, 18 December 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Minutes, 18 December 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
501
Office, 2009.
502
503
Minute MA1/DCDS(C) to D/DCDS(C), 19 December 2003, Record of Iraq Strategy Review Meeting
Baghdad 18 Dec 03.
499
500
150
876. The Annotated Agenda for the 18 December meeting of the AHMGIR stated that
the CPA was taking forward ideas for a National Reconciliation Strategy.504 Following the
capture of Saddam Hussein, this was:
a determined effort by the CPA and the Iraqi Interim Administration to engage
Sunni leaders, alongside establishment of targeted job creation schemes and more
flexible implementation of the de-Baathification policy.
877. Also on 18 December, MrJames T Baker III, former US Secretary of State, and
President Bushs personal envoy on Iraqi debt, called on MrBlair as part of a series
of meetings with major creditors.505 MrBaker told MrBlair that the US objective was to
get up to 80 percent debt reduction for Iraq, though that might be overly optimistic. He
agreed with MrBlairs proposal that debt reduction should be handled through the Paris
Club (rather than bilaterally).
878. Section 10.3 describes the UKs efforts to secure generous debt relief for Iraq
through the Paris Club, based on its analysis that debt relief would:
increase Iraqs ability to fund its own reconstruction (and hence reduce the
pressure on the UK to contribute to reconstruction);
provide a means of sharing the burden of financing Iraqs recovery (as most of
Iraqs debt was owed to non-combatant countries including Russia and France);
and
clear the way for multilateral lending to Iraq.
879. DFID approved the 3m Emergency Public Administration Project (EPAP) in late
December.506 The project aimed to improve policy-making, public administration and
public financial management by providing technical support to key institutions at the
centre of the Iraqi Government, including the Prime Minsters Office and the Council of
Ministers Secretariat (comparable to the UK Cabinet Office).507 Technical support was
provided by consultants from Adam Smith International Ltd.
880. The EPAP was the first of three DFID projects during the period covered by the
Inquiry which aimed to improve Iraqi public administration.
881. Sir Jeremy Greenstock issued two reports at the turn of the year, a review of 2003
and a look ahead at the challenges for the final six months of Occupation.
Annotated Agenda, 18 December 2003, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Minute Cannon to Bowman, 18 December 2003, Iraqi Debt: Call on the Prime Minister by James
Baker.
506
507
Project Completion Report DFID, September 2005, Emergency Public Administration Project (EPAP).
504
505
151
882. His review of 2003 assessed that the post-conflict administration had started badly,
but that Ambassador Bremer had picked it up.508 While political violence pervaded
everything, and reconciliation should have been pursued earlier:
in stimulating the supply of essential services, in improving community law and
order, in organising the remarkable currency exchange and in generating economic
activity which is livelier than the statistics or the media show, Bremer has returned
many of the components of a semi-normal life to most Iraqis. The majority can at
least perceive that the opportunity to create a new life, and a new Iraq, might be
worth investing in.
883. On the CPAs media effort, Sir Jeremy assessed that:
the prize for CPA ineptness has to go to the Iraqi Media Network, now
rechristened Al Iraqiya. With billions to spend and the worlds most powerful media
industry to draw from, the CPA has produced a mouse, then another mouse and
finally, at end-year, a mouse. Subservience to Washingtons requirements and
sheer dysfunctionality seem to have been the causes.
884. In his look ahead to the end of Occupation, Sir Jeremy wrote that the Coalition
faced a significant challenge as it prepared to transfer sovereignty.509 In addition
to the violent opposition and the fragility of the political process, the principal
hurdles included:
the very slow flow of donor money, including US money, for reconstruction;
an unemployment rate close to 50 percent.
essential utilities and services being below target, leading to a loss of support
and consent for the Coalition; and
885. Sir Jeremy concluded that the situation was poised. To come out well, the
Coalition needed one more heavy investment of effort in three areas: military forces;
donor funding; and civilian staffing.
UK concern over the CPAs media operation

MrBlairs concern over the performance of the CPAs media operation reached its peak at
the end of 2003.
MrBlair and President Bush spoke by video conference on 4 December 2003.510 MrBlair
suggested that those responsible for slow progress on the media should be given until
January to improve things. If there was no improvement, an outside media figure should
Telegram 332 IraqRep to FCO London, 29 December 2003, Post-Conflict Iraq: 2003 Review.
Telegram 337 IraqRep to FCO London, 1 January 2004, Iraq: Six Final Months of Occupation.
510
Letter Cannon to Adams, 4 December 2003, Iraq: Prime Ministers Video-Conference with
PresidentBush, 4 December.
508
509
152
be brought in to take charge. The US would give up and hand over to the UK if this was
not fixed by February.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock reported on 4 January 2003 that the CPA was making yet another
fresh start on its media office.511 Given those changes, there was currently no place for a
senior British secondee.
MrBlair and President Bush discussed progress on the media on 6 January.512 Dr Rice
had now taken over responsibility for Iraqi media from Secretary Rumsfeld and there was
a bridging strategy to take the media through the next couple of months, while building
up media capacity in Baghdad. MrBlair regretted the low media profile of Governing
Council members and Ministers, which meant that the public received information through
religious and tribal leaders.
The meeting of the ISOG on the same day concluded that given the US lead in the media
sector there was little scope for UK involvement.513 The US was resisting the secondment
of senior UK staff.
886. MrBlair visited Basra to meet Coalition troops and staff in CPA(South) on
4January. In advance of the visit, CPA(South) advised that:
News in the South generally good, on security, politics and economy. But no room
for complacency on any of these and much remains to be done if we are to play our
part in securing an effective transition.514
887. CPA(South) reported that delays caused by the CPAs complex contracting
procedures made it harder to secure the level of visibility for CPA activity that the
UK and Iraqis wanted. Local expectations were high and the UK, boosted by steadily
increasing numbers of professional staff in CPA(South), would need to work hard to
meet them.
888. MrBlair met Ambassador Bremer in Basra.515 Ambassador Bremer said that he
had re-examined economic priorities and intended to focus on job creation and essential
services, in particular electricity. The CPA already planned to deliver 6,000MW of
capacity by June 2004; he wanted to deliver 7,000MW. He confirmed that he would not
liberalise energy prices, monetarise the food ration (polls showed that 90 percent of
the public were opposed) or privatise SOEs, other than some small-scale management
buyouts. Those would be hard decisions for the next Government to take.
Telegram 2 IraqRep to FCO London, 4 January 2004, Iraq: Strategic Communications Office.
Letter Cannon to Adams, 6 January 2004, Iraq: Prime Ministers Video-Conference with President
Bush, 6 January.
513
Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 8 January 2004, Iraq: Senior Officials Group.
514
Telegram 1 CPA Basra to FCO London, 2 January 2004, Prime Ministers Visit to Basra: Scenesetter.
515
Letter Cannon to Owen, 5 January 2004, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting with Bremer, 4 January.
511
512
153
889. Ambassador Bremer also said that MrRichmond had been put in charge of the
operational aspects of the CPAs Sunni strategy. That included up to US$250m in
project funding.
890. MrCannons record of the meeting asked for a note for MrBlair on how the political
process would develop through the transition, how and when the UN could best be
involved, and what civil and military structures the UK envisaged being in place after the
June transition.
891. The Annotated Agenda for the 22 January meeting of the AHMGIR stated that the
introduction of a single, more secure and more conveniently denominated currency had
been completed on 15 January:
The exchange has been a success for Coalition economic reconstruction, and for
the UK. There was significant UK input at all stages, from policy-making, to logistics
and the information campaign, which underpinned a smooth process.516
892. On 22 January, MrStraws Private Secretary sent a paper to MrRycroft on how the
political process would develop through the transition.517 No.10 had requested the paper
on 5 January.
893. The paper, entitled Iraq: The Next Six Months, identified four key UK objectives:
a smooth transition of executive power on 1 July to a sovereign Iraqi transitional
Government
a security agreement which allows Multinational Forces the freedom they need
to operate
UN Security Council endorsement of the above and an expanded UN role;
an improving economy and infrastructure that will maximise the prospects of a
successful transition.
894. The paper stated that the CPAs Sunni outreach programme was gaining
momentum, underpinned by job creation.
895. The paper briefly considered civilian structures after the transition. Following the
Afghanistan model, the FCO envisaged a small but growing UN office to co-ordinate
international assistance and underpin/lead the constitutional process. Officials were
developing costed options for British representation after transition; they anticipated the
need for a large British Embassy in Baghdad and a smaller British Embassy Office in
Basra, both with significant DFID elements.
896. On economic reconstruction, the paper stated that the new timetable for the
transfer of sovereignty had led to programmes with the potential for political unrest
(mass privatisation, removal of subsidies on food and energy) being dropped. The
516
517
Annotated Agenda, 22 January 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Letter Owen to Rycroft, 22 January 2004, Iraq attaching Paper, [undated],Iraq: The Next Six Months.
154
UKs priorities over the next six months were to keep the CPA focused on job creation
schemes and to build capacity in Iraqi ministries and institutions. The Treasury and DFID
were providing support on budget execution and financial management.
897. The paper concluded that the UKs work in all areas must be supported by
continued progress on reconstruction. DFID were producing a paper on the links
between the political process and reconstruction over the next year.
898. MrBlair annotated the paper: This is excellent and seems the right strategy.518
899. Also on 22 January, Sir Hilary offered proposals from Basra on a post-30 June
strategy to maintain the benefits and momentum of CPA(South)s work.519 In his view,
the priority was to manage CPA(South)s US$212m programme of work to completion (it
had never been intended to complete by 30 June), using broadly the same management
structures and (predominately British) personnel. The US would need to be persuaded to
continue to provide accommodation and security, and to agree to a single international
Co-ordinator for the South, ideally but not essentially British. The UK would need to
continue to provide broadly the same level of staffing in the South.
900. A bilateral UK programme should complement rather than diminish that
priority effort.
901. An early decision on how the UK intended to work in the South after transition
would enable the UK to influence US planning. Sir Hilary warned that the US might be
planning to take over CPA(South)s existing programme of the work. The US would be
unlikely to be able to find replacement staff quickly and would have no experience of
operating in the South; there was therefore a risk that the majority of effort would fail.
A clear UK proposal might head off any such planning.
902. Sir Hilary advised that he had discussed the options with Sir Michael Jay and
GenJackson during their recent visits.
903. The DFID paper on the links between the political process and reconstruction was
tabled at the 30 January meeting of the ISG.520
904. The paper, which drew on comments from Sir Hilary Synnott, MrBearpark, the
FCO and the Treasury, identified three potential flashpoints:
Unemployment. 90 percent of demonstrations were about jobs or salaries.

Estimates of unemployment ranged from 20 to 50 percent. Structural problems
Manuscript comment Blair on Paper, [undated],Iraq: The Next Six Months.

Telegram 9 CPA(South) to FCO London, 22 January 2004, South Iraq after 30 June.
520
Letter Drummond to Dodd, 29 January 2004, Iraq: Reconstruction and the Political Process attaching
Paper DFID, Iraq: Reconstruction and the Political Process; Minute Dodd to Sheinwald, 2 February 2004,
Iraq Strategy Group.
518
519
155
meant it would be difficult to increase employment significantly by the end of the

year, but donors and the CPA should:
a. maximise use of local labour, as already stipulated in US reconstruction
contracts; DFID would aim to do the same;
b. provide finance for small business;
c. fund employment creation schemes; USAID programmes should be
targeted at higher risk locations; DFID would consider options for the
south with CPA (South) in February;
d. ensure pension payments were up to date.
Disruption to the supply of cheap (subsidised) fuel.

Electricity supply. Demand was estimated at 5,700MW and rising rapidly, supply
at about 4,000MW. It was likely the US would not meet its target of 6,000MW
by June 2004. Outside the South there was little the UK could do to help. In
the South, the Essential Services Plan would help to ensure demand was met.
The priority should be to implement US-funded programmes and encourage
Japanese investment in the power sector, recognising that little would be
delivered by the middle of 2004. DFID would consider in February whether
further UK investment was needed in the South.
905. The paper proposed that, in the run-up to transition, the UK should give priority
to improving Iraqi economic policy making, preparing Iraqi ministries for the decisions
they would need to make on subsidies and state-owned enterprises, and determining
the structure that would succeed the CPA. It warned that the UK should be prepared for
three or four months of Iraqi Government inaction after 30 June, which might produce
rising levels of discontent.
906. The paper was endorsed by the ISG.521
DFIDs Interim Country Assistance Plan

907. DFID circulated a first draft of its Interim Country Assistance Plan (I-CAP) for
Iraqto members of ISOG for comment on 19 December 2003.522
908. A final draft was discussed at the 20 January 2004 meeting of ISOG, before
being submitted to the 22 January meeting of the AHMGIR.523 At the ISOG meeting,
anFCO official expressed concern about the apparent exclusion of Kurdish areas from
DFIDs plans.
909. ISOG agreed that, on the assumption that the AHMGIR agreed to the publication
ofthe I-CAP, the FCO and the Cabinet Office would help sanitise the paper.
Minute Dodd to Sheinwald, 2 February 2004, Iraq Strategy Group.
Letter Drummond to Bowen, 19 December 2004, Iraq: DFID Country Assistance Plan.
523
Minute Dodd to Buck, 21 January 2004, Iraq: Senior Officials Group.
521
522
156
910. Before the AHMGIR meeting, MrDrummond advised MrBenn that discussion at
ISOG had focused on concerns about benefits for communities outside the Shia South
and cautiousness about DFIDs intention to publish the I-CAP.524 MOD officials had
endorsed the draft I-CAP but for the wrong reasons.
911. MrDrummond suggested that at the AHMGIR meeting, MrBenn should highlight
the need for DFID to focus its effort:
We have listened and as a result of consultation are willing to engage in oil sector
governance to help ensure transparency in the use of oil revenues. But we will lose
effectiveness if we spread ourselves too thinly. Our poverty agenda directs us to the
South. Other communities can benefit through [the UN and World Bank Trust Funds]
and the political and NGO funds.
912. MrHoons briefing for the AHMGIR meeting recommended that he should endorse
DFIDs draft I-CAP.525 Because of DFIDs focus on poverty reduction, the draft I-CAP
was heavily directed towards the South: This is welcome in terms of the additional force
protection benefits for UK military, although they [DFID] may not thank us for pointing
this out.
913. The draft I-CAP defined the UKs development goal as an inclusive, Iraqi led
reconstruction process that brings sustained benefits to all citizens, particularly the poor
and vulnerable.526 It set out three strategic objectives:
to promote rapid, sustainable and equitable economic growth;

to encourage effective and accountable governance; and
to promote social and political cohesion and stability.
914. To achieve those objectives, DFID would work at three levels:
internationally, to improve the effectiveness of aid, including by disbursing

a significant amount through the UN and World Bank Trust Funds and
encouraging others to do the same, and by helping multilateral organisations,
including the IMF and World Bank, to engage;
nationally, to support policies and reforms which benefited the poor, promoted
economic reform, strengthened public administration capacity and justice, and
promoted social cohesion and stability; and
in southern Iraq, to help reduce poverty and restore the Souths links with the
centre so that it could benefit from national programmes; this would include work
on infrastructure and job creation, regional media and political participation.
Minute Drummond to Malik, 21 January 2004, Iraq: Ministerial.

Minute [MOD junior official] to APS/Secretary of State [MOD], 21 January 2004, Ad Hoc Ministerial
Group on Iraq Rehabilitation: 22 January meeting.
526
Paper DFID, [undated], Iraq: Interim Country Assistance Plan.
524
525
157
915. The draft I-CAP stated that the UK had pledged 544m at the Madrid Donors
Conference. Channelling DFID resources through the World Bank and UN Trust Funds,
which had proved effective in Afghanistan, should reduce administrative costs and
promote donor co-ordination. The (unspecified) remainder of DFIDs funds would be
used for bilateral programmes.
916. The I-CAP re-stated DFID guidance that progress against a CAP should be
assessed annually, and that a CAP should be subject to a major review every three or
four years. It also stated that, given the rapidly changing situation in Iraq, it would need
asubstantial review after one year.
917. The draft I-CAP did not offer an annual budget for DFIDs Iraq programme, for the
three strategic objectives, or for the three levels of activity.
918. The I-CAP was published in February.527 Three changes had been made from the
final draft submitted to the 22 January meeting of the AHMGIR:
Risks were recast as assumptions. For example, the risk that the security
situation would not improve become an assumption that it would.
The section on security included the statement that there were signs that
security was improving.
The section on lessons no longer included the caveat that DFIDs knowledge
ofIraq was limited.
919. Sir Hilary Synnotts posting as Head of CPA(South) ended at the end of January
2004. He was succeeded by MrPatrick Nixon, former British Ambassador in Abu Dhabi.
920. Sir Hilary sent his valedictory telegram to the FCO on 26 January.528 His comments
on the political process and overall progress in Iraq are described in Section 9.2.
Sir Hilary also reflected on the state of CPA(South) when he arrived in July 2003, and his
efforts to secure additional staff and resources:
The UKs pre-planning fell short of making practical dispositions, and political
direction of resources was complicated by deep differences at Cabinet level.
We borrowed computers from the Americans and scrounged Kuwaiti mobiles

from where we could. None were available through the FCO. DFID were generous
with sat phones and laptops to their contracted staff London asked for frequent
reporting. I sent it over an unclassified and temperamental Yahoo link All this was
several months after the end of the conflict and remained like this for several months
more
527
528
Department for International Development, Iraq: Interim Country Assistance Plan, February 2004.
Telegram 10 Basra to FCO London, 26 January 2004, Basra Valedictory.
158
A bid for 37 additional and expert staff was endorsed by Ministers immediately
but staff on the ground were saddened by the absence of replacements for staff
whose contracts expired after three or six months, and because by early January,
18of the 37 new staff had still not arrived.
It was fortunate that both the Danish and Italian Governments chose the South in
which to concentrate their contributions to the Coalitions efforts. For some months
we had more officials here from these countries 13 each than from the UK.
921. Sir Hilary commented on his request for 37 additional staff in his evidence to the
Inquiry:
I was sent the record of the Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee [of 28 August] and
it was recorded there that Synnott should be provided with everything he thought
was necessary. That, to my mind, clearly came from Number 10 The difficulty,
however, was turning that political imperative into reality.
To me, there was a distinct absence of machinery to make things happen, the
translation from policy to practice. Otherwise it became hope.529
922. The deployment of UK civilian personnel is considered in more detail in
Section 15.1.
923. Sir Hilary paid a farewell call on MrStraw on 11 February.530 Sir Hilary told
MrStraw that he had been frustrated at the length of time it had taken the FCO to
deploy people and provide secure communications. The FCOs response had compared
unfavourably with that of other departments.
924. The FCOs response to that criticism is described in Section 15.1.
925. Sir Hilary described progress on the Essential Services Plan (which had been
agreed in September) in his memoir:
The [Plan] become one of the highlights of the Coalitions reconstruction activity
in the South. Its concentration on small-scale projects rendered it doable and
allowed for flexibility if obstacles should arise, which of course they did. It proved
feasible to proceed with and protect small projects, even in a deteriorating security
environment. And, since local people could readily see that they would benefit from
the projects completion, they actively helped maintain security 531
Public hearing, 9 December 2009, pages 15 and 45.

Minute Owen to PS/PUS [FCO], 12 February 2004, FCO Response to Iraq.
531
Ltd., 2008.
529
530
159
926. Sir Hilary contrasted progress on the Essential Services Plan with progress on
larger infrastructure projects:
By January the deteriorating security environment and the prospect that the CPA
would be wound up in less than six months had all but destroyed the momentum of
the bigger, Baghdad-led projects.
Lobbying for US reconstruction contracts

UK Government lobbying on behalf of UK business intensified in early 2004, in
anticipation of the US contracts that would be funded from the US$18.4bn Iraq Relief
and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF2) and against a background of growing press and
Parliamentary criticism that UK companies were at a disadvantage in bidding for
USfunded contracts. Section 10.3 describes the UK Governments support for UK
business in detail.
The 20 January 2004 meeting of the ISOG concluded that the UK needed a proper
campaign plan involving Ministers and the British Embassy Washington, targeting
the next tranche of US-funded contracts that would be awarded by the US Program
Management Office (PMO) in March.532
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) submitted a paper on UK access to US-funded
reconstruction contracts to the 22 January meeting of the AHMGIR.533 UKTI assessed
that UK companies had good access to most US-funded contracts, but had achieved only
limited success so far. The recent award of two US-funded oil contracts to US companies
(bids with significant UK components had not been successful, despite lobbying by
Ministers) suggested that the UK needed to take a stronger and more active political line
in Washington to lobby for UK commercial interests.
MrMike OBrien, FCO Parliamentary Under Secretary of State circulated a core script for
a lobbying campaign targeting the US to MrStraw, Ms Hewitt, MrBoateng, MrBenn and
senior officials on 9 February.534 The core script highlighted the strengths of UK industry
and expressed the hope that UK companies would be given the opportunity to display
those strengths in the reconstruction process.
In his covering note, MrOBrien stated that UK companies assessed that US procurement
procedures were essentially fair, were not critical of the UK Governments support,
but were convinced that there was now a window of opportunity to press the US.
MrOBrien stated that all Ministers needed to ensure that the US was in no doubt about
the political importance we attach to UK firms being seen to contribute actively to the
reconstruction process.
MrStraw wrote to US Secretary of State Colin Powell on 17 February, expressing the
UKs disappointment that UK companies had not secured either of the oil infrastructure
rehabilitation contracts, expressing the UKs hope that UK companies would play a
Record, 20 January 2004, Iraq Senior Officials Group meeting.

Annotated Agenda, 21 January 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper
UKTI, 20 January 2004, Access to US-funded Reconstruction Contracts.
534
Minute OBrien to Foreign Secretary, 9 February 2004, [untitled] attaching Briefing, [undated], UK Bids
for CPA Program Management Office Prime Contracts.
532
533
160
significant role in Iraqs reconstruction, and highlighting in general terms the capability
ofUK companies.535
Sir Nigel Sheinwald wrote to Dr Rice on 19 February, in similar terms.536
MrBlair wrote to President Bush on 5 March, identifying some of the UK companies
bidding for PMO contracts and highlighting in general terms the expertise of
UK companies.537
The Annotated Agenda for the 18 March meeting of the AHMGIR reported that following
a campaign of high-level lobbying, UK companies had achieved success in the latest
round of US reconstruction contracting.538 Three project management contracts, with
a total value of up to US$80m, had been awarded to consortia with significant UK
components and two design and build construction contracts, with a total value of up to
US$1.1bn, had been awarded to consortia with significant UK components. It was not
possible at this stage to calculate the exact value to UK companies of those contracts.
Ministers were advised on 2 April that consortia with significant UK components had
secured three further design and build contracts, with a total value of US$1.6bn.539
927. The FCO sent No.10 an update on efforts to improve the CPAs media operation
and the Iraqi Media Network (recently re-branded as Al Iraqiya) on 11 February.540
928. The FCO advised that the CPA still lacked a fully developed, overarching
communications strategy but did have strategies for specific areas of activity including
the political process. MrRob Tappan had been brought in from the US State Department
to try to develop an overarching communications strategy and a further 30 US staff
would arrive shortly, bringing the CPAs Strategic Communications team to around 100.
However, little thought had been given to whether these additions were necessary or
even desirable: Manpower is flowing without a clear plan to harness it.
929. There were four UK press officers in CPA(Baghdad), two in CPA(South), and one
each in Basra, Wasit and Kirkuk. The US had not responded to the UKs offer of a senior
UK press officer.
930. The FCO concluded:
IraqRep [Sir Jeremy Greenstock] advises that we will not achieve anything by
adding further UK press officers to an already overpopulated, and undermanaged,
operation. Nor does IraqRep believe there is any mileage in trying again to insert
a senior British communications expert into the [CPAs] Strategic Communications
team: this is Tappans role and the Americans are likely to resist UK involvement
in this area, which they see more and more narrowly in terms of US image and
Letter Straw to Powell, 17 February 2004, [untitled].
Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 19 February 2004, Iraq: Contracts.
537
Letter Blair to Bush, 5 March 2004, [untitled].
538
Annotated Agenda, 17 March 2004, Cabinet Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
539
Letter Dodd to Owen, 2 April 2004, Iraq: Update attaching Paper Cabinet Office, 2 April 2004, Iraq:
Update.
540
Letter Owen to Cannon, 11 February 2004, Iraq: Media and Communications.
535
536
161
domestic electoral politics. Despite Bushs throw away line to the Prime Minister in
December (that he would hand over the communications operation to us if it had
not been sorted out by now), Condi Rice will not admit failure; Bremer would resist
strongly; and Bush will not in fact hand us a baton which could be of such political
importance to him.
So we must make the best of a bad job. The work our press officers are doing
on the development and implementation of the different [CPA] sectoral strategies,
and our assistance to IMN [Iraqi Media Network/Al Iraqiya], are the most valuable
contributions we can make.
931. The FCO paper was passed to MrBlair on 12 February, under a covering note
from MrCannon.541 MrCannon commented:
our resources cannot match those of the Americans. Things at last seem to
be moving in the right direction So we recommend that we continue to support
the US effort rather than taking over full responsibility for the media strategy.
Doyouagree?
932. MrBlair commented on this recommendation: Yes but at the end of Feb I want
anupdate and if necessary, will move in.542
933. The FCO provided No.10 with a further update on efforts to improve the CPAs
media operation and Al Iraqiya on 1 March.543 The CPA now had a tighter grip, and
wasundertaking more strategic planning. The FCO concluded:
There remains a lot of ground to make up, and the focus is still heavily on the
domestic US audience. But things are moving in the right direction, and more
systemic thought is being given to the Iraqi audience.
934. MrCannon wrote to the FCO on 10 March:
As you know, the Prime Minister wants to improve the presentation of Iraq policy
in the UK and international media. He would like us to work for more broad and
positive coverage of Iraq 544
MrCannon listed a number of actions to improve the presentation of Iraq policy,
and reported that MrBlair considered that it could best be delivered by a short-term
strengthening of the No.10 Press Office.
935. MrCannons letter did not respond to the issues raised in the FCOs 1 March
update regarding the CPAs media and communications effort.
Minute Cannon to Blair, 12 February 2004, Iraq: Media and Communications.
Manuscript comment Blair to Cannon on Minute Cannon to Blair, 12 February 2004, Iraq: Media and
Communications.
543
Letter Owen to Cannon, 1 March 2004, Iraq: Media and Communication.
544
Letter Cannon to Owen, 10 March 2004, Iraq: Media and Communications.
541
542
162
Planning and preparing for the transfer of sovereignty

936. The 12 February meeting of the AHMGIR considered an FCO paper entitled
UKRepresentation in Iraq Post-Transition.545
937. In the paper, the FCO set out proposals for an Embassy in Baghdad, a Consulate
General in Basra and a representative in the North.546 The FCO also suggested that the
UK needed to consider how international assistance in the South should be co-ordinated
after CPA(South) closed on 30 June.
938. The AHMGIR agreed the shape of British representation and tasked officials to
consider the practicalities, and requested a paper on co-ordination of the international
effort in the South, for discussion at its next meeting.
939. Sir Hilary Synnott paid a farewell call on MrBlair on 17 February.547 Sir Hilary
told MrBlair that reconstruction was the key to maintaining consent in the South.
Reconstruction projects had a long lead-time but were now kicking in. Political transition
and the dismantling of CPA(South) could lead to a loss of momentum and civil unrest.
Sir Hilarys particular worry was the portfolio of projects conceived and initiated by the
UK but funded by the US. Those could suffer if the US focused on new projects and
DFID on UK-funded projects. He hoped there would still be a locally co-ordinated (and
ideally UK-led) international effort in the South. MrBlair agreed on the need to maintain
momentum on reconstruction.
940. Sir Hilary told the Inquiry that MrBlairs response to his concerns had been
non-committal.548
941. MrBlair told the Inquiry that, although anxiety and concern were occasionally
flagged up very strongly in Sir Hilarys reports from Basra, when Sir Hilary left Iraq he
was, on balance, optimistic rather than pessimistic.549
942. Sir Hilarys response to MrBlairs assessment is described later in this Section.
943. MrNixon offered his first impressions from Basra on 24 February (after some
three weeks in post as Head of CPA(South)).550 He described himself as guardedly
optimistic. Economic activity was increasing and there was an air of excitement around
the political process.
944. CPA(South) now had almost a full house of specialist experts and was working
closely with MND(SE). By the end of February, CPA(South) would have committed
US$280m to more than 1,300 projects designed to create jobs, make a quick and visible
Minutes, 12 February 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
Paper FCO, [undated], Future UK Representation in Iraq.
547
Letter Cannon to Owen, 17 February 2004, Iraq: Sir Hilary Synnott.
548
Letter Synnott to Aldred, 24 January 2011, [untitled].
549
550
Telegram 19 CPA Basra to FCO London, 24 February 2004, First Impressions from Basra.
545
546
163
impact and be completed by 30 June. Even with more funds and more staff, CPA(South)
could not complete many more.
945. CPA(South) was focusing on:
completing its own portfolio of projects;
easing the return of the UN and other donors to the South; and
advising and supporting (when requested) new programmes funded by other

donors including the PMO (which had earmarked US$2.9bn for the South) and
Japan (which had earmarked US$1.5bn for the South);
strengthening the capacity of the Iraqi Government.
946. MrNixon stated that it was essential that some CPA(South) experts stayed through
the transition, to continue that work.
947. The report was passed to MrBlair on 24 February.551
UK contributions to the World Bank and UN Trust Funds

DFID contributed 65m (later increased to 70m) to the World Bank and UN Trust Funds
at the end of February.
International donors met in the United Arab Emirates from 28 to 29 February for the first
International Reconstruction Financing Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) Donor Committee Meeting.552
One objective of the meeting was to agree contributions to the World Bank and UN Trust
Funds, within the pledges announced at the Madrid Donors Conference in October 2003.
At the meeting, donors committed approximately US$1bn to the two Funds, with the
largest contributions from Japan (US$500m) and the EU (US$190m).553 DFID committed
65m (US$120); it did not specify how that contribution was to be allocated between the
World Bank and UN Funds.
On 12 March, MrDrummond sought MrBenns agreement to increase that contribution
to 70m.554 MrDrummond advised that the original contribution of 65m represented
the balance of funds that DFID had available for Iraq as the end of the UK financial year
2003/04 approached. It was now clear that a further 5m was available.
MrDrummond advised that the UKs contribution should be transferred to the Trust Funds
by the end of March:
We cannot be certain how long it will take to disburse money from the Trust Funds,
but both the [World] Bank and the UN need money up front before they can start
programmes. Considering the security constraints both the World Bank and the
Manuscript comment Rycroft on Telegram 19 CPA Basra to FCO London, 24 February 2004, First
Impressions from Basra.
552
International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, 29 February 2004, Chairs Statement for the
Abu Dhabi Donor Committee Meeting of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)
February 29, 2004.
553
Minute Drummond to Malik, 12 March 2004, International Reconstruction Financing Facility For Iraq
(IRFFI).
554
Minute Drummond to Malik, 12 March 2004, International Reconstruction Financing Facility For Iraq
(IRFFI).
551
164
UN have moved fast to design programmes Although other donors have

committed money, little has been paid in. We ought to show leadership by putting our
money in soon.
The UK transferred 40m to the World Bank Trust Fund and 30m to the UN Trust Fund at
the end of March.555
948. The Annotated Agenda for the 1 March meeting of the AHMGIR stated that
modified versions of the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) and International Advisory
and Monitoring Board (IAMB) should be retained after the transition, in order to
ensure accountability and transparency.556 Otherwise, there was a substantial risk of
mismanagement of oil revenues. The arrangement could also ensure that Iraqi assets
remained immune from claims. The US supported the idea of a modified DFI.
949. Such an arrangement might be seen in Iraq as a constraint on sovereignty, but
conversely many Iraqis might welcome arrangements which enhanced transparency and
restricted the ability of transitional Ministers to mismanage oil revenues.
950. The Annotated Agenda also stated that the DFI currently held US$8.8bn and paid
for 95 percent of the Iraqi budget. In addition, substantial DFI funds had been spent
offbudget on the approval of the CPA with intermittent Iraqi representation.
951. The Annotated Agenda did not contain any further detail on the off-budget
disbursement of DFI funds.
952. The AHMGIR agreed that the UK should press for the establishment of transparent
and accountable arrangements for the management of oil and other Iraqi revenues
through the transition period.557
953. Sir Jon Cunliffe told the Inquiry that, although the US and the CPA were very
resistant to external monitoring and external accountability undertaken by the IAMB:
When the Iraqi Government itself arrived, I think both Occupying Powers decided
there was joint interest in having transparency, accountability and control [over oil
revenues] and, indeed, I think that the US were with us in pushing for the interim
Iraqi Government to take on the DFI with all of its monitoring machinery.558
954. Section 10.3 describes the operation of the DFI, and considers the UKs scrutiny
ofdisbursements from the DFI.
955. The Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which defined the transition to a fully
sovereign Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) by 30 June 2004 and an Iraqi Transitional
Annotated Agenda, 1 March 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
557
Minutes, 1 March 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
558
555
556
165
Government (ITG) by 31 January 2005, was agreed by Governing Council on 1 March

(see Section 9.2).
956. The 8 March meeting of the ISOG was advised that the UK civilian presence in
Basra after the transition could not yet be defined, pending PMO decisions.559
957. The ISOG was also advised that the UK was opposed to US plans for a Transition
Board, reporting to the US Ambassador, to co-ordinate international advisers in Iraqi
ministries after the transition. More broadly, the UK was against any US-led postOccupation structures whether they be in the political, security or development fields,
whatever the extent of de facto US influence.
958. Sir Jeremy Greenstock called on MrBlair on 11 March.560 Sir Jeremy reported that
the flow of US funds remained slow, even to the security forces. In the electricity sector,
the gap between supply and demand would widen over the summer. Economic progress
in poorer districts remained slow and unemployment was high. The South, starting from
a lower baseline, was more contented, but managing expectations was crucial.
959. Sir Jeremy thought that presentation of policy to Iraqis had improved, although
much ground had been lost to Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera. CPA communications
remained fixated on the US audience.
UK Transition Plan for Iraq

960. The 12 March meeting of the ISG discussed a draft Transition Plan for Iraq
produced by the FCO.561 The ISG concluded that:
One of our main concerns was what the CPA would turn into. A gap in programmes
between the end of CPA and the formation of the interim Government would cause
problems, not least for security. Continuity was therefore essential and capacity
needed to be maintained. The answer was for [international] advisers to shift into
[Iraqi] ministries
961. The 18 March meeting of the AHMGIR considered a revised version of the
Transition Plan.562
962. The Plan stated that the transition had to be seen as a clear transfer of
power, although the new Iraqi Government would still need wide-ranging assistance.
Issues included:
Establishing a transparent and robust framework for managing Iraqi funds

(including oil revenues). The CPA was drafting an organic Budget Law, which
UK officials were lobbying to improve. Higher than expected oil revenues
Minute Dodd to Crompton, 8 March 2004, Iraq: Senior Officials Meeting.

Letter Cannon to Owen, 11 March 2004, Iraq: Sir Jeremy Greenstocks Call on the Prime Minister.
561
Minute Dodd to Sheinwald, 15 March 2003, Iraq Strategy Group.
562
Annotated Agenda, 18 March 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper FCO,
17 March 2004, Iraq: Transition Plan.
559
560
166
meant restrictions on funds reaching ministries would be the result of imperfect

procedures rather than lack of money.
Supporting Iraqi ministries. The US/CPA was still considering the form and
extent of its support after 30 June. DFID programmes to build the capacity of the
Ministries of Finance, Planning, and Municipalities and Public Works had begun.
DFID might retain a few of the current CPA advisers in Baghdad, but most
would be withdrawn by 30 June.
CPA(South) transition. DFID would maintain a Development Section in the
British Embassy Office Basra and a team of consultants working with the four
southern governorates. A visit by DFID officials later in the month would:
{{ develop
recommendations for DFID staffing in the British Embassy

Office Basra;
{{ agree
with the PMO any requirements for support from CPA(South)

infrastructure specialists; and
{{ assess
whether any other CPA(South) staff should be retained, and if so

inwhat organisation.
963. The Annotated Agenda for the AHMGIR meeting reported that the CPA envisaged
that international advisers would become part of a new agency, run by a US national
and reporting jointly to the Iraqi Prime Minister and the US Ambassador.563 The US saw
this as a way of retaining US control after the transition. The UK would continue to argue
against this; the Coalition needed to establish Iraqi authority and be seen to do so.
964. The AHMGIR agreed the Transition Plan but asked for a Transition Plan for the
South, identifying where the UK needed to lobby the US.564
965. MrBenn visited Baghdad and Basra from 22 to 23 March.565 He reported to
MrBlair:
There is steady progress, but the challenges remain immense
The economy is picking up well. Reconstruction is starting to produce visible
results
Success is bringing new challenges. Maintaining infrastructure will require difficult
political decisions for the new Government such as charging more for electricity and
fuel. Donor money may add to inflationary pressures I encouraged Bremer to
promote transparency in the use of the oil revenues after 30 June. We need the IMF
and World Bank to be fully involved in this, and other economic management issues,
as soon as possible.
Annotated Agenda, 17 March 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

Minutes, 18 March 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
565
Letter Benn to Blair, 24 March 2004, [untitled].
563
564
167
966. MrBenn also reported that there were tensions within the US system over how
much control they should try to retain after transition.
967. MrDrummond, who accompanied MrBenn, produced a separate report for DFID
colleagues only.566 He reported that:
Ambassador Bremer had not seen how, politically, the Coalition could retain
control over Iraqs oil revenues after transition. The Ambassador had agreed
with MrBenn on the importance of managing those revenues transparently.
Interlocutors in the Ministries of Finance, Development Co-operation and
Industries had all favoured bilateral projects over the World Bank and UN Trust
Funds, because of the high UN administration fee and the lack of UN and World
Bank presence in Baghdad. MrBenn and MrDrummond had set out the merits
of the Trust Funds, including low transaction costs.
On the future of CPA(South), MrBenn and MrDrummond had been pressed on
the need for some continuity on the handover of authority, both by CPA(South)
staff and Adm Nash. We said that from 1 July things had to be different with
the Iraqis in the lead supported by well-targeted advice; the big money for
reconstruction would come from the [US] Supplemental, the Japanese and the
Trust Funds.
MrBenn and MrDrummond had also been lobbied by MND(SE) on funding for
QIPs. MND(SE) had said that their budget for QIPs would be almost exhausted
by 30 June, but UK forces could still play a valuable role after transition.
MrDrummond reported: We made no commitment It may be that MOD can
resource this from elsewhere. QIPs are not high on my list of priorities.
Basra International Airport

Ministers first considered reopening Basra International Airport (BIA) to commercial traffic
in December 2003.567 In a joint paper, the Cabinet Office and IPU advised that reopening
the airport would signal a return to normality and help stimulate reconstruction. The threat
to aviation in Iraq was severe, however, and as an Occupying Power the UK would have
overall liability for commercial flights.
Ministers agreed in January 2004 that BIA should not be reopened to commercial flights
before there was an Iraqi Government in place (at the end of June 2004), at which time
the decision (and direct liability) would be theirs.568
Ministers revisited the question in April 2004, following a CPA request that CPA-chartered
cargo and passenger aircraft should be allowed to use BIA, and agreed that CPA-
Minute Drummond to DFID [junior official], 24 March 2004, Iraq Visit.

Letter Dodd to Owen, 23 December 2003, Iraq: Basra Airport attaching Paper Cabinet Office/IPU,
23 December 2004, Iraq: Commercial Passenger Flights into Basra Airport.
568
Letter Dodd to Owen, 2 April 2004, Iraq: Opening of Basra Airport to Commercial Traffic attaching
Paper IPU/Cabinet Office, 2 April 2004, Iraq: Opening of Basra Airport to Commercial Traffic.
566
567
168
chartered cargo flights but not passenger flights should be allowed to use BIA (as the
liability arising from passenger flights was so much greater).569
Ministers also agreed that UK forces should continue to provide air traffic control and other
services to cargo flights after the transition, when in direct support of reconstruction and
humanitarian activities.
BIA reopened to commercial flights on 1 January 2005, following the agreement of a
Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Iraqi Governments indemnifying the
UK Government and its agents against all claims arising from the provision of services by
UK personnel at BIA (see Section 10.2).
968. Section 9.2 describes the deterioration in the security situation in Iraq from late
March, as the Coalition faced Muqtada al-Sadrs Shia militia, Sunni insurgents in
Fallujah and a growing threat from Al Qaida.
969. Sir Jeremy Greenstock concluded his six-month tour in Iraq at the end of March
and was succeeded by MrDavid Richmond. Sir Jeremys valedictory telegram assessed
that the Coalition might not deserve the fragile state of semi-progress in Iraq:
The preparations for the post-conflict stage were abject; wrong analysis, wrong
people And the volume of resources required on the ground, especially in military
terms, was and continues to be misjudged.570
970. Sir Jeremy listed the Coalitions major failings, including complacency and
constant overselling of the true picture.
971. In early April, US forces began operations in Fallujah. Section 9.2 describes UK
concerns about the operation and its effect on Sunni opinion.
972. On 7 April, MrBlair received an (unattributed) report on media and communications
in Iraq.571 It assessed that the Iraqi media was free, but also chaotic: 190 newspapers,
25 TV stations and 70 radio broadcasters operated with almost no regulation. Where
satellite television was available, Iraqi citizens preferred it to terrestrial television or the
print media; where it was not, Al Iraqiya dominated. The major satellite channels were
Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera. Although Al Iraqiya was improving, the abiding impression is
too little, too late. It could not hope to rival regional satellite channels in the near future,
but in the long term had the potential to become a credible public service broadcaster.
Rumour and word of mouth remained disproportionately powerful.
973. MrBlair commented: This is simply inadequate. We must grip this.572
Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Owen, 9 August 2004, Iraq: Basra Airport.
Telegram 109 IraqRep to FCO London, 26 March 2004, Iraq Valedictory: Six Months in the Cauldron.
571
Report, [undated], Iraqi Media: Snapshot.
572
Manuscript comment Blair on Report, [undated], Iraqi Media: Snapshot.
569
570
169
974. On 8 April, the FCO tightened their travel advice, to read: Even the most
essential travel to Iraq should be delayed, if possible.573 Companies involved in
reconstruction were encouraged to ensure that they have made the appropriate security
arrangements.
975. On 14 April, the UK company Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd, which had been
contracted by the PMO to provide oil and gas project management services in Iraq,
informed the PMO that it intended to postpone the deployment of its staff to Iraq, citing
the 8 April FCO travel advice.574
976. Section 10.3 describes the exchanges between Foster Wheeler, the PMO and the
UK Government, leading to the (delayed) deployment of Foster Wheeler staff to Iraq
from late May.
977. Also on 14 April, the JIC assessed that kidnapping was now being used as a
tactic by anti-Coalition forces.575 The kidnappings, together with the rise in attacks
on foreigners over the past month, were persuading many foreign contractors to
leave Iraq. That could affect the Coalitions reconstruction effort and, in the short term,
precipitate power shortages and further public discontent.
978. On 15 April, Sir Nigel Sheinwald sent Dr Rice a personal paper from MrBlair for
President Bush, which MrBlair hoped the President might read before their conversation
the next day.576 MrBlair summarised his strategy for Iraq as:
local engagement by Iraqis to sort the Sunni and MAS [Muqtada al-Sadr]
problems, with Fallujah critical;
backed by a specific set of offers to deal with grievances;

backed by an Iraq-wide campaign of communication, led and fronted by Iraqis.
979. MrBlair acknowledged Dr Rices heroic efforts and recent improvements in the
CPAs communications work. But:
My point, simply, is that this issue [communications] is not just important; it is
crucial. It is at the core of whether we succeed or fail We need a wholly more
professional and organised response. We cant leave the field to Al Jazeera and
AlArabiya as the satellite channels watched by the people; or fail to use the
terrestrial channels adequately.
980. MrBlair and President Bush met in Washington on 16 April.577 MrBlair stressed to
President Bush the importance of standing firm, setting out a clear political vision and
implementing it competently.
FCO Travel Advice for Iraq, 8 April 2004.
Letter OConnell to CPA/PMO, 14 April 2004, Oil Sector Program Management Contractor.
575
JIC Assessment, 14 April 2004, Iraq Security.
576
Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 15 April 2004, [untitled], attaching Note [Blair to Bush], [undated], Note.
577
Letter Rycroft to Adams, 16 April 2004, Iraq: Prime Ministers Meeting with President Bush.
573
574
170
981. MrBlair said that there needed to be a clear strategy for addressing the grievances
of both the Sunnis and the Al Sadr supporters, including tackling poverty in Sadr City.
Headded that large amounts of money were available, but very little was being spent.
982. MrBlair again emphasised the importance of better communication with the Iraqi
population. After the transition, the Iraqi Government would have increased responsibility
in this area and would need real help from the US and UK.
983. No specific actions were agreed.
984. On 18 April, MrRichmond reported from Baghdad on the challenges of designing
and executing post-conflict reconstruction in what effectively remains a conflict zone.578
Drawing on discussions with MrBearpark, Adm Nash and USAID, MrRichmond advised
that there was:
Probably less activity on the ground than CPA are prepared to admit, as aid
agencies and contractors withdraw personnel to safer areas pending decisions to
reengage. Main foreign contractors operating at 50 75 percent staffing levels.
Some NGOs well below that.
985. Washington had directed the CPA to accelerate spending, and specifically to
ameliorate conditions in Fallujah. Of the US$18.4bn committed to IRRF2:
US$8.8bn was available now for construction projects, of which US$1.5bn had
been obligated (contracts issued); and
US$5.8bn was available for non-construction projects, of which US$770m had
been obligated.
986. The problem was translating those figures into work on the ground against the
timetable required by the political process.
987. The PMOs aim was to be in a position to deliver once security conditions allowed.
Adm Nash was advising contractors to bring in the minimum necessary number of
staff to establish a bridgehead. He had also created incentives for contractors to
subcontract to lower-profile and local companies.
988. MrRichmond advised that the UK needed to consider the advice it gave to UK
development partners and contractors regarding travel to Iraq, and in particular to
consider the divergence of advice between the US and UK. The US Government
issuedstricter guidance on travel than the UK, but did not seem to enforce it. TheUKs
travel advice gave him no option but to counsel caution to UK contractors. The
problems experienced by Foster Wheeler encapsulated the dilemma: Risk coming out
or losing out.
Telegram 173 IraqRep to FCO London, 18 April 2004, Iraq: Effects of the Recent Crisis on
Reconstruction.
578
171
989. Sir Nigel Sheinwald wrote to the FCO on 19 April, advising that MrBlair was
concerned by the picture painted by the briefing he had received in advance of his
meeting with President Bush.579 MrBlair believed that a renewed effort was needed
by the CPA and by departments in London. He had asked for 15 urgent reports, which
should be:
unvarnished accounts of where things stand, with as much local colour
as possible; and with clear recommendations, where appropriate, for how to
improve things.
990. The accounts included:
the media;
reconstruction, spending and disbursement;
everyday life;
womens groups; and
schools, universities and hospitals.
991. Sir Nigel advised that MrBlair was prepared to put specific points directly to
President Bush, and suggested that MrRichmond might draw the reports together into
aweekly or fortnightly hit list of priorities.
992. The 20 April meeting of the ISOG was advised that MrBlair considered that
progress needed to be accelerated in all areas of reconstruction in order to make
transition a success.580 He had decided to follow developments more closely himself.
Sir Nigel had therefore commissioned a number of reports and recommendations for
improvements to be written by the practitioners in Iraq themselves.
993. On 21 April, Sir Kevin Tebbit, MOD Permanent Under Secretary, wrote to
SirAndrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary, and Permanent Secretaries to set out the
arrangements for looking after civilian personnel in Iraq.581 Detailed contingency plans
for the evacuation of UK staff in Bagdad were being drawn up, as a matter of prudent
planning: the security situation in Iraq is tense, but no worse in most places than it has
been previously.
994. Referring to concerns expressed by Permanent Secretaries at their recent
Wednesday morning meeting, that the withdrawal of civilian contractors could undermine
the reconstruction effort and hence exacerbate the security situation, Sir Kevin advised:
The impact on reconstruction would indeed be serious if contractors began
towithdraw, although there is little evidence that this is happening on a large
scale You may have seen David Richmonds telegram of 18 April which assess
Letter Sheinwald to Adams, 19 April 2004, Iraq.
Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Buck, 23 April 2004, Iraq: Senior Officials Group.
581
Letter Tebbit to Turnbull, 21 April 2004, [untitled].
579
580
172
that most [companies] are operating at 75 percent of their capacity pending

securitydevelopments. No UK or US funded contractor has withdrawn for Iraq.
995. Sir Kevin outlined the actions the CPA was taking to enable contractors to operate.
UK Transition Plan for Southern Iraq

996. MrDrummond circulated a report to members of ISOG on 16 April, setting out
DFIDs plan to support Iraq after transition.582 In Baghdad, DFID planned to maintain
its support for key ministries (including the Ministries of Finance, Planning and
Development Co-ordination, and Municipalities and Public Works) at around the same
level, at up to 20 advisers.
997. The UK Transition Plan for Southern Iraq, which had been commissioned by the
AHMGIR on 18 March, was submitted to the 22 April meeting of the AHMGIR.583
998. The Annotated Agenda for the meeting reported that security had deteriorated
markedly over Easter (9-12 April) and the risks to UK civilian staff in Iraq were high.584
The deployment of civilians had been reviewed and, as a temporary measure, new
deployments to Baghdad had been suspended and staff unable operate in the current
security environment had been withdrawn.
999. The AHMGIR approved the recommendation that all other staff should remain in
Iraq subject to continuing review.585
1000. The UK Transition Plan for Southern Iraq considered the security, political,
reconstruction and representational aspects of transition.586 It stated that the UKs
focus should on helping the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. The main
challenges would be:
maintaining security;
promoting economic recovery including job creation, and rebuilding

Governorates and local institutions.
helping Iraqi citizens in the four Southern governorates to participate in the

national political process; and
1001. The Plan was based on the explicit assumption that the security situation would
calm down.
Letter Drummond to Buck, 16 April 2004, Iraq: The Transition attaching Report DFID, April 2004, DFID
Programme Requirements in Southern Iraq from July 2004.
583
Annotated Agenda, 21 April 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting attaching Paper,
[undated], UK Transition Plan for Southern Iraq.
584
Annotated Agenda, 21 April 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
585
586
Paper, [undated], UK Transition Plan for Southern Iraq.
582
173
1002. The Plan stated that the UK hoped that the US would retain a strong presence in
Basra, but the US had not yet finalised its plans.
1003. On reconstruction in the South, the Plan reported that good progress had been
made given the constraints. Power production had improved sharply, the ports were
operating above pre-war capacity and the private sector was active, particularly in
Basra.The next phase would require major new capital investment, and the creation
ofmore jobs.
1004. DFIDs projects to rehabilitate government buildings and restore power, fuel and
water services in the South587 should be complete by 30 June, provided the security
situation remained stable. A phased exit was planned for the 50 DFID-funded staff and
contractors in CPA(South) and for the UK secondees supported by the FCO, beginning
in mid-June.
1005. Other donors and the private sector would provide the main funds for
infrastructure after the transition. The US, through its PMO, would be by far the
largest donor and was likely to spend at least US$3bn in the South over the next three
years. The PMO was expected to take over the CPA(South) compound and base up
to 300staff there; those would almost all be contractors with little or no knowledge
of the local context. The PMO had shared some reconstruction plans with the Iraqi
Government, but only briefly so far. Japan, Denmark and Italy were the other major
bilateral donors in the South. Unless security improved dramatically, it was unlikely that
the UN would make a substantial impact.
1006. The capacity of Iraqi central and local authorities, which would assume full
executive authority once CPA(South) was dissolved, was mixed. The PMO was
not currently incorporating capacity-building elements into its programmes. RTI, a
consultancy company funded by USAID to build local government capacity, was
withdrawing most of its staff on security grounds.
1007. DFID had agreed in principle to provide up to 25m over two years for the
Governorates Capacity Building Project (GCBP) to strengthen planning, financial
management and other core functions in the four southern governorates. The project
was scheduled to start in May.
1008. DFID would also fund an eight-person Transitional Advisory Team588 to work
withthe PMO, to help bridge the local knowledge gap between PMO contractors
andIraqi technical directorates. The team would be deployed for six months in the
firstinstance.
1009. The Plan stated that the South would also benefit from DFIDs national
programmes.
587
588
A reference to the Essential Services Plan.

Subsequently renamed the Technical Advisory Team.
174
1010. The possibility of a reconstruction gap, which had been identified by Sir Hilary
Synnott on 22 January, was not explicitly acknowledged in the Plan.
1011. In a briefing for MrStraw (as Chair of the AHMGIR), the Cabinet Office warned
that DFIDs intended focus on capacity-building, leaving capital and large-scale
rehabilitation projects to other donors, might be controversial:
This formation is fine in principle but depends on other donor funds, particularly
from the US Supplemental [IRRF2], being disbursed on time. US contracts are being
let now but if there are delays in implementation due to security or bureaucracy there
could be a reconstruction gap in the South this autumn.589
1012. Ministers endorsed the Plan and agreed that the UK should press the US to reach
decisions on its future support in southern Iraq.590
Reports from Iraq

1013. On 23 April, MrBlair received the first edition of all 15 unvarnished accounts
commissioned by Sir Nigel Sheinwald on 19 April, plus an additional four reports
covering essential services, oil, next years budget and Ambassador Bremers recent
speech in Tikrit.591
1014. The reports relating to the political situation and security are described in Section
9.2; the account relating to Security Sector Reform is described in Section 12.1.
1015. The report on the Iraqi media identified three key challenges (tackling the
panArab satellite channels, improving Al Iraqiya, and strengthening the capacity of
theIraqi Government) and set out how the UK should address them.592
1016. The report on reconstruction was MrRichmonds 18 April report on the challenges
of designing and executing reconstruction in a conflict zone.593
1017. The report on essential services stated that delivery of most services was poor.594
A reliable electricity supply remained key to the delivery of other services but the
Coalition continued to fail to meet public expectations; widely publicised CPA targets
for electricity generation for summer 2003 had not been met and it was unlikely that the
CPAs target of 6,000MW by 30 June 2004 would be achieved. Food, sanitation and
fuel were less problematic. Food supplies had been temporarily interrupted by recent
fighting, but there was no evidence of significant food shortages. There was some
Annotated Agenda, 21 April 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.

591
Minute Rycroft to Prime Minister, 23 April 2004, 15 Reports on Iraq.
592
Paper, [undated], Media in Iraq.
593
Telegram 173 IraqRep to FCO London, 18 April 2004, Iraq: Effects of the Recent Crisis on
Reconstruction.
594
Telegram 180 IraqRep to FCO London, 20 April 2004, Iraq: Essential Services (Excluding Oil).
589
590
175
confidence that water supply to major cities would not be interrupted even in times of
peak demand.
1018. The report on gender issues stated that this was a major emphasis for the
CPA and a personal focus for Ambassador Bremer.595 Civil society organisations were
developing strongly, though political organisations were only now emerging. Women
had taken on visible leadership roles in Iraq and the TAL set a goal of 25 percent
representation in the Transitional Government. Funding was not an issue; the key
challenges were security and opportunities in education and employment.
1019. The report on schools, universities, hospitals (from MrChris Segar, Head of the
British Office Baghdad) stated that the Ministries of Health and Education were both
regarded as having good political and strategic leadership and competent management
staff, and had established normal relationships with international donors.596 US funds
were available for infrastructure; UK support was provided through the World Bank and
UN Trust Funds. Nearly all the 240 hospitals in Iraq were functioning, though many
faced (unspecified) difficulties. Drug supply continued to fall below Iraqi expectations,
but drugs were more widely available, especially to the poor, than before the conflict.
2,300schools had re-opened in time for the new school year (on 1 October 2003),
staffed and equipped with textbooks and materials.
1020. The report on oil sector development stated that production was rising ahead
of schedule, but future capacity was threatened by an early, mistaken focus on repair
rather than modernisation and development.597 Discussions between the Ministry of
Oil and the CPA on raising gasoline prices continued, with the Ministry avoiding any
commitment on a politically contentious issue. Discussions on restructuring the oil
industry remained mired in politics. There were persistent but unconfirmed allegations
of corruption in both the State Oil and Marketing Organisation and the Ministry of Oil.
Ambassador Bremer had recently appointed a new Inspector General to the Ministry,
but after 30 June his capacity to monitor financial flows would be tested. International
oil companies were watching carefully, but wanted to see greater security and a stable
regulatory and investment environment before investing.
1021. On 26 April, MrRycroft set out MrBlairs response to the reports in a letter to
MrStraws Private Secretary, copies of which were sent to DFID, the MOD, the Cabinet
Office and UK officials in Iraq and the US:
The conclusion the Prime Minister draws is that the problem we face is not
multifaceted. It is simple: security. It casts its shadow over everything from oil
production to education to the political process.598
Telegram 188 IraqRep to FCO London, 22 April 2004, Iraq: Gender Issues.
Telegram 035 IraqRep to FCO London, 22 April 2004, Iraq: Health and Education.
597
Telegram 183 IraqRep to FCO London, 21 April 2004, Iraq: Oil Sector Development.
598
Letter Rycroft to Owen, 26 April 2004, Iraq: 15 Reports for the Prime Minister.
595
596
176
1022. MrRycroft outlined how MrBlair thought existing activity could be improved,
including by:
(a) Iraqi-isation. We must do whatever it takes to get the ICDC [Iraqi Civil Defence
Corps] and Iraqi police into shape. Every main road has to be guarded, oil
refineries rebuilt, electricity generation on target
(b) Communications. There needs to be a concerted campaign in Iraq and abroad
to explain what the security problem actually is, and how it is a deliberate
attempt to prevent the Iraqi people from getting the benefit of what we are doing.
We need to provide top security for Al Iraqiyas reporters and staff; strengthen
the Coalitions Arabic media capability; improve the coordination between military
and political to give real time information to spokesmen; and vastly improve the
Iraqi Governments communications capability.
(c) Reconstruction spending. There is a damaging gap between obligated funds
and actual spending. Any suspension of projects must be temporary. We need
urgent clarity and agreement on what will replace the CPA outside Baghdad after
30 June.
1023. On the same day, Sir Nigel Sheinwald sent Dr Rice another Note from MrBlair,
and asked her to show it to President Bush before their video conference the next day.599
In his Note, MrBlair set out the detailed analysis that MrRycroft had communicated
across Whitehall, including the need for:
a vast uplift in the Iraqi Governments capability to communicate;
a whatever it takes attitude to ensure that obligated funds were spent.
a massive, concerted campaign to explain the security problem: MrBlair said

that he would like to send a couple of people I really trust to give a proper sense
of what could be done; and
1024. MrBlair spoke to President Bush on 27 April.600 The discussion focused on

security, the presence of Coalition Forces after the transition, and the political process.
They discussed the need for the reconstruction process to continue while the Coalition
resolved the security situation. MrBlair also highlighted the importance of continuing to
make progress on the Iraqi media.
1025. In mid-April, the US had requested that the UK send additional troops to Iraq (see
Section 9.2).
599
600
Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 26 April 2004, [untitled], attaching Note [Blair to Bush], [undated], Note.
Letter Quarrey to Owen, 27 April 2004, Prime Ministers VTC with Bush, 27 April: Iraq.
177
1026. MrHoons Private Secretary wrote to MrRycroft with initial advice on the US
proposal on 29 April.601 The letter reflected MrHoons view that:
any significant increase in our military commitment in Iraq would need to be
considered in the context of the whole cross-Government effort if we were to
take on Najaf and Qadisiyah we would need FCO and DFID to help ensure that
acceptable arrangements are in place on the CPA (and post-CPA) side.
1027. In late April, allegations of abuse by Coalition soldiers in Abu Ghraib prison
become public. Section 9.2 describes the effect of those and other allegations of abuse.
1028. Major General Andrew Stewart, GOC MND(SE) at that time, was one of several
witnesses who told the Inquiry that the pictures of Abu Ghraib had had a significant
effect on MND(SE), where the public began turning against Coalition Forces.602
1029. MrDrummond and MrMark Lowcock, DFID Director General Corporate
Performance and Knowledge Sharing, visited Iraq from 27 to 30 April.603 They reported
that, while the security situation had deteriorated, there were encouraging signs
of progress on the economy. The foundations of a market economy had been laid,
including through the currency exchange, but the reforms were only half done; fuel and
utility price subsidies had not been reduced and the Public Distribution System for food
had not been reformed. They concluded that:
whether Iraq will remain a single resource (oil) economy with the potential for a
small elite to recapture the revenue or broaden out into a modern market economy
is still to play for.
1030. MrDrummond and MrLowcock also reported that the DFID programme was
focused on building the capacity of the Iraqi Government in Baghdad and the South.
Most DFID funding for reconstruction was flowing through the World Bank and UN
Trust Funds, thereby encouraging both to engage fully in Iraq. MrDrummond and
MrLowcock commented that that seemed right.
1031. MrRichmond reported by telegram on 30 April that security remained the key
threat to development and reconstruction:
The PMO remains optimistic about project implementation but others are sceptical.
NGOs report many international staff out of the country; USAID are still below
full strength, with few staff outside Baghdad, and the PMO reports at least some
pull out/pull back by key construction companies including Bechtel, Siemens and
possibly GE [General Electric].604
Letter Baker to Rycroft, 29 April 2004, Iraq: UK Response to US Approaches.

603
Minute Drummond and Lowcock to Private Secretary [Benn], 30 April 2004, Iraq Visit Report.
604
Telegram 205 IraqRep to FCO London, 30 April 2004, Iraq: Reconstruction, Development and
Essential Services.
601
602
178
1032. MrRichmond reported that MrDrummond and MrLowcock had pressed CPA and
US officials on US transition plans, but key decisions had not yet been made. That lack
of clarity was making it difficult for the UK and others to plan their reconstruction efforts
beyond the transition, which was delaying implementation.
1033. MrRichmond offered his view on 2 May, as part of a DFID/Treasury exercise, on
whether unblocking funding streams would improve the security situation.605 He advised
that his answer was:
For now probably no given absorptive capacity and the security conditions.
1034. MrRichmond continued:
A disaffected, unemployed Tikriti can be bought for a few dollars to launch an attack
on a member of the Coalition. It has passed no one by that project planning, fund
disbursement and employment generation might help direct the Tikritis efforts to
more productive ends. There was a physical cash flow problem in the first quarter of
2004 which meant that even monthly salaries were being delayed. Those have been
largely unblocked.
1035. MrRichmond highlighted the recent approval by the CPA of a seven cities
initiative, which would rapidly inject up to US$30m into each of seven areas which posed
significant security problems in order to increase employment. A new but refreshing
condition of approval had been the existence of a robust monitoring and evaluation
programme, on which DFID and USAID had provided advice.
1036. MrRichmond concluded:
In the immediate term, therefore, disbursing significant extra funds into projects
is not the key issue. Indeed, to do so risks exacerbating a growing concern abut
inadequate quality control of proposals which can lead to wastage of resources and
corruption. More thought must also be given to how to meet the additional running
costs created by capital/project expenditure
1037. MrRichmond also reported that:
CPA statistical analysis does not show a correlation between areas of highest
unemployment and violence. Promoting employment in and directing projects to
specific trouble spots will not produce immediate results. Longer-term, effective
distribution of funding is therefore required.
1038. MrRichmond reported by telegram on 4 May that US intentions regarding
international advisers had been misunderstood.606 Some 200, mainly US, advisers would
remain after the transition. They would not be running the Government but providing
Telegram 207 IraqRep to FCO London, 2 May 2004, Iraqi Economy: Does Expenditure Need
Unblocking?.
606
Telegram 211 IraqRep to FCO London, 4 May 2004, Iraq: What Should be Different After 30 June?.
605
179
advice, and mainly on technical rather than policy issues. They would only serve as long
as their Iraqi Minister wanted them to.
1039. The main conclusions of the US transition planning process were formalised on
11 May in US National Security Presidential Directive 36.607 Hard Lessons summarised
those conclusions:
After the dissolution of the CPA, the US Secretary of State would be responsible
for all activities in Iraq, except for military operations and the development of the
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).
Two new organisations would be established to manage the US reconstruction
programme (taking over the mission of the PMO). The Iraq Reconstruction
and Management Office (IRMO) would provide technical assistance to
Iraqi ministries and the Project and Contracting Office (PCO) would provide
procurement and project management support for the US Supplemental
(IRRF2).
13 of the 17 CPA provincial offices would be closed. Basra was one of the four
that would remain.
1040. The Inquiry has seen no indications that Ministers or senior officials were briefed
on the Directive, or the key changes it described, until July.
1041. MrRichmond and MrSawers met Ambassador Bremer in Baghdad on 6 May.608
MrRichmond reported by telegram that MrSawers had expressed concern that the CPA
would not meet its targets for basic services. Ambassador Bremer replied that it should
get within shouting distance of its 6,000MW target for power generation. Sewage was
a particular problem, they were shovelling it off the streets in Sadr City. Ambassador
Bremer also commented:
If we could even get security back to October/November 2003 levels, then effective
reconstruction would be possible.
1042. On the same day, the AHMGIR was advised that reconstruction had been
delayed by the downturn in security, adding to Iraqi frustration with the Coalitions
performance.609 In Baghdad, UK reconstruction staff had only been able to move outside
the Green Zone sporadically, and hardened accommodation was in short supply. Staff
numbers had been thinned slightly as a result. CPA(South) staff had been unable to
travel for nearly a week. Despite that, reconstruction was continuing. During April,
120 projects worth US$37m had been contracted, including clearance of rubbish and
road building. Those should provide employment for 17,000 people and many would
have a quick and visible impact.
National Security Presidential Directive, 11 May 2004, United States Government Operations in Iraq.
Telegram 217 IraqRep to FCO London, 6 May 2004, Iraq: Sawers Meeting with Bremer.
609
607
608
180
1043. The AHMGIR was also advised that the disbursement of reconstruction funds
was progressing steadily, with security and absorptive capacity the key constraints.
Work was well advanced to ensure rapid disbursement of US funds by the PMO, and
through the World Bank and UN Trust Funds.
1044. Ministers were invited to, and did, note this positive progress.610
1045. The 11 May meeting of the ISOG discussed MrNixons concern (first expressed
in his first impressions report from Basra at the end of February) that there would be a
gap in reconstruction activity in the South between the end of the CPA and the launch of
major infrastructure projects in August.611 The number of UK reconstruction staff would
also fall from 51 to seven after the transition.
1046. A DFID official said that DFID believed that PMO programmes would come on
stream in time, and that DFID had programmes that bridged the transition period.
1047. MrRichmond reported on 13 May that recent attacks on Iraqs power
infrastructure indicated that the saboteurs had a co-ordinated plan to squeeze fuel
supplies to Baghdads power plants as summer approached.612 Parts of Baghdad had
experienced a 48 hour blackout. MNF-I Commanders had been tasked to refocus
patrolling on the most important infrastructure sites. The Iraqi Facilities Protection
Service, which was just beginning to take shape, had also been retasked.
1048. The 19 May meeting of the ISOG considered a DFID paper on reconstruction
funding and activity in the South after the transition.613 The paper stated that the main
external sources of funding for reconstruction in the South after the transition would be
the PMO, the World Bank and UN Trust Funds, the Japanese, and DFID. Funding from
these sources would:
take some time to begin to show real impact in terms of improved services
(probably around 4-6 months), although some job creation should come sooner.
1049. In the interim, although the CPA would be dissolved on 30 June, a significant
number of CPA-administered/DFI-funded projects would continue beyond that date.
DFID was recruiting a residual CPA team to ensure that those projects could continue
(although it was not yet clear who would have legal authority to manage those projects
after 30 June).
1050. DFID reported that the PMO had stated that, by the time those CPA/DFI
projects completed in late August/early September, many of its contractors would have
established themselves in Basra and new job opportunities should be starting to emerge.
Annotated Agenda, 6 May 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting; Minutes, 6 May 2004,
Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
611
Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Buck, 13 May 2004, Iraq: Senior Officials Group.
612
Telegram 232 IraqRep to FCO London, 13 May 2004, Infrastructure Security and Reconstruction.
613
Paper DFID, May 2004, Reconstruction funding and activity in Southern Iraq post transition.
610
181
1051. The residual CPA team would become the Project Continuity Team (PCT).
Their work is described later in this Section.
1052. The ISOG judged that the paper offered a satisfactory account, but asked DFID
to liaise with MrNixon to ensure his concerns had been fully answered.614
1053. On 18 May, Sir Nigel Sheinwald sent Dr Rice a Note from MrBlair for President
Bush, in advance of their regular video conference two days later.615
1054. MrBlair wrote that the coming few weeks were the last chance to move things
into place before the new Iraqi Government took power, and proposed a timetable for
the political process. He also proposed:
better protection of oil and power installations; and

more help for Al Iraqiya and high-quality media support for the new Iraqi
Prime Minister.
1055. In their video conference on 20 May, MrBlair and President Bush discussed the
timetable for and sequence of events surrounding the transfer of sovereignty.616
1056. MrBlair was advised on 21 May that US and UK officials had met to discuss
communications issues surrounding the transition.617 The CPA was establishing a
communications office for the incoming Iraqi Prime Minister. Staffing that office might be
problematic; the incoming Prime Minister would probably not accept staff nominated by
the US or UK but might have few of his own.
1057. MrRichmond reported from Baghdad on the same day that the CPA was working
intensively to establish the new administrative arrangements that the incoming Iraqi
Prime Minister would need:
Iraq no longer has anything we would recognise as a functioning centre of
government; these structures require setting up from scratch.
The straitjacket of a CPA Order has been rejected in favour of presenting an outline
proposal to an incoming Prime Minister, allowing strong Iraqi ownership of all
structures and staffing, though [Ambassador] Bremer has directed that some core
staff be in place from the day the [Prime Minister] is appointed. It will be made clear
that this is advice, not prescription.618
Minutes, 18 May 2004, Iraq Senior Officials Group.

Letter Sheinwald to Rice, 18 May 2004, [untitled], attaching Note [Blair to Bush], [undated], Note
on Iraq.
616
Letter Quarrey to Owen, 20 May 2004, Prime Ministers VTC with Bush, 20 May: Iraq.
617
Minute Heatly to Prime Minister, 21 May 2004, Iraq: Communications Around the Transition.
618
Telegram 250 IraqRep to FCO London, 21 May 2004, Iraq: Support to the New Prime Minister.
614
615
182
1058. MrDavid Quarrey, a Private Secretary in No.10, passed MrBlairs comments

on those reports to the FCO on 24 May.619 MrBlair thought that it was vitally important
that the new Iraqi Prime Minister and President had first-class support services and
an immediate media plan. It was also vital that the Coalition had a plan to protect and
repair Iraqs oil and electricity infrastructure, especially as the transition and summer
approached.
1059. On 24 May, MrBob Morgan, an adviser to the Iraqi Oil Ministry employed by the
FCO, and his bodyguard MrMark Carman, were killed in Baghdad.620
1060. MrBlair held a video conference with President Bush on 26 May.621 MrBlair said
that there had been a good meeting between the US and UK media teams, focused on
getting the right support for the new Iraqi Prime Minister.
1061. Lt Gen John McColl, Senior British Military Representative, Iraq, advised the
28May meeting of the ISG that there were dangers of discontinuities between the
end of the CPA and the start of the IIG.622 The CPA was ensuring co-ordination between
Iraqi ministries and between Baghdad and the provinces; there could be problems
after the dissolution of the CPA which could not be entirely overcome by the remaining
international advisers. Separately, there was a risk that key Iraqi Government employees
would not be paid during the transition.
1062. Lt Gen McColl also warned of the risk of a gap between the end of CPA
reconstruction projects and the start of PMO projects, leading to a dip in employment
during the summer which would impact on the security situation. He recommended that
military commanders be given access to further, and larger scale, funding for QIPs to fill
the gap.
1063. The ISG asked DFID to look again at the risk of a reconstruction gap, and MOD
to approach the Treasury about further funding for QIPs.
1064. On 1 June the Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) was sworn in, with Dr Ayad Allawi
as Prime Minister and Dr Barham Salih as Deputy Prime Minister.623
1065. MrAlan Charlton, Charg dAffaires at the British Embassy Washington, reported
US transition plans on 3 June.624 In addition to the Embassy in Baghdad, there would be
four Regional Hubs: Mosul, Kirkuk, Hillah and Basra. There was a growing realisation
within the US Government that the mission after transition would be very different.
MrJohn Negroponte, US Ambassador-designate, had defined his mission as supporting,
rather than directing, the IIG.
Letter Quarrey to Owen, 24 May 2004, Iraq.
Minutes, 25 May 2004, Iraq Senior Officials Group meeting; BBC News, 26 May 2004, Oil expert killed
in Iraq felt safe.
621
Letter Quarrey to Owen, 26 May 2004, Iraq: Prime Ministers VTC with Bush, 26 May.
622
Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 28 May 2004, Iraq Strategy Group.
623
BBC News, 1 June 2004, Iraqs interim cabinet sworn in.
624
Telegram 684 Washington to FCO London, 3 June 2004, Iraq: US Mission Transition Planning.
619
620
183
1066. MrCharlton highlighted two potential problems:
a funding gap as the CPA closed and the IIG took on responsibility for managing
expenditure through the DFI; and
local instability as CPA Governorate Teams left: Governors and Provincial
Councils were mostly inexperienced with varying degrees of local legitimacy;
some would fail without a Coalition presence.
1067. MrDominic Asquith, Deputy Chief Commissioner in the CPA, reported from
Baghdad on 6 June that Prime Minister Allawi had accepted assistance from DFIDs
Emergency Public Administration Programme (EPAP) team to set up his office, and
would welcome support from the FCO on media operations.625
1068. MrAsquith reported on 11 June that DFID was significantly expanding the EPAP
consultancy team in response to the Iraqi demand for the work, including on media and
communications.626
The state of provincial administration in the South,

June 2004
Maj Gen Stewart, GOC MND(SE), and MrNixon sought to meet the Governors in each of
the four southern Provinces during June, to discuss the transition and help prepare them
to assume real and heavy administrative responsibilities.627
An MOD official reported on 4 June on their visits to Maysan and Dhi Qar:
the Provincial administrations have yet to understand the implications of the
transfer of authority, i.e. that they will soon be fully responsible for Provincial
government. Inexperienced and uninformed in governance, the assumption of
administrative responsibility makes them uneasy. They are unhappy that the support
and advice that they receive from the CPA over the past year will end. Central
government in Baghdad is unreliable, and cannot be depended on to provide
uninterrupted finance and other support in absence of the kind of mediation that CPA
officials have provided. We are thinking of using MOD civil servants (policy advisers)
to help fill the gap until FCO/DFID or US project personnel are available, as planned.
Maj Gen Stewart reported to No.10 on 10 June that, in contrast, the Governor of
Muthanna, a dominant figure in the Province, was eager to take on full responsibility
after 30 June.628 He was, however, likely to limit the emergence of genuinely effective
representative political institutions.
The joint visit to Basra was delayed by ongoing attempts to reconstitute the Provincial
Council and the need to appoint a new Governor.
Telegram 286 Asquith to FCO London, 6 June 2004, Iraq: Meeting with the Prime Minister; Telegram
288 Asquith to FCO London, 6 June 2004, Reconstruction Development and Essential Services.
626
Telegram 310 Asquith to FCO London, 11 June 2004, Iraq: Support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
627
Minute MOD [junior official] to CJO, 4 June 2004, GOC MND(SE) Iraq Update.
628
Minute Stewart to Rycroft, 10 June 2004, GOC MND(SE) Iraq Update.
625
184
Resolution 1546
1069. The UN Security Council adopted resolution 1546 (2004) on 8 June (see
Section9.2).629 The resolution:
Endorsed the formation of a sovereign Interim Government of Iraq (generally

known as the Iraqi Interim Government or IIG) which would assume full
responsibility and authority for governing Iraq by 30 June 2004, while refraining
from taking any actions affecting Iraqs destiny beyond the limited interim
period (until an elected Transitional Government of Iraq assumed office).
Reaffirmed the right of the Iraqi people freely to determine their own political
future and to exercise full authority and control over their financial and
natural resources.
Decided that the Special Representative to the Secretary-General (SRSG) and
the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), at the request of the
Iraqi Government, should:
advise the Government of Iraq in the development of effective civil and
social services;
{{ contribute
to the co-ordination and delivery of reconstruction, development,

and humanitarian assistance;
{{ promote
the protection of human rights, national reconciliation, and judicial

and legal reform in order to strengthen the rule of law in Iraq; and
{{ advise
629
and assist the Government of Iraq on initial planning for the

eventual conduct of a comprehensive census.
Recognised that the IIG would assume the primary role in co-ordinating
international assistance to Iraq.
Noted that, upon the dissolution of the CPA, funds in the Development Fund for
Iraq (DFI) shall be disbursed solely at the direction of the Government of Iraq,
and decides that the Development Fund for Iraq shall be utilised in a transparent
and equitable manner and through the Iraqi budget that the arrangements for
the depositing of proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum products,
and natural gas established in paragraph 20 of resolution 1483 (2003) shall
continue to apply, and that the International Advisory and Monitoring Board
(IAMB) shall continue its activities.
Welcomed the commitment of many creditors, including those of the Paris
Club, to identify ways to reduce substantially Iraqs debt, called on Members
States, international and regional organisations to support Iraqs reconstruction
effort, urged international financial institutions and bilateral donors to provide
their full range of loans and other financial assistance and arrangements, and
recognised that the IIG would have the authority to conclude and implement
such agreements and other arrangements as may be necessary in this regard.
185
1070. The resolution also requested Member States, international financial institutions
and other organisations to strengthen their efforts to support reconstruction and
development.
1071. A Treasury official advised MrBrown and MrBoateng that the resolution
had significant implications for Iraqs development.630 To maintain transparency in
the management of oil revenues, the resolution provided for the continuation of the
DFI under the control of the Iraqi Government. At the UKs request, the resolution
explicitly mentioned transparency and provided that DFI funds could only be spent
through Iraqs budget.
1072. The IAMB would continue to monitor oil sales and provide an external audit
function, and would include an additional member designated by the Government of Iraq.
1073. Oil revenues held in the DFI would continue to enjoy immunity from attachment.
The UK had pressed unsuccessfully to extend that immunity to foreign exchange
reserves held in the Central Bank of Iraq.
1074. The resolution recognised the IIGs authority to conclude and implement loan
agreements and other financial assistance and arrangements. That should enable the
IGI to negotiate and agree an IMF programme and conclude a Paris Club debt deal.
1075. The resolution called for IFIs to engage fully in assisting reconstruction and
development. Since the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad in August
2003, they had provided technical assistance through seminars outside Iraq and by
commenting on draft economic legislation and the management of donor funds. That
was no substitute for working in country; the UK would continue to press them to return
as soon as possible.
1076. The official also advised that the Financial Management Law signed by
Ambassador Bremer on 5 June was a key piece of economic legislation that regulated
the preparation and execution of Iraqs budget. UK Treasury officials had been
extensively involved in its drafting.
1077. The 17 June meeting of the AHMGIR considered DFIDs second paper on funding
reconstruction in the South after transition.631 It was more detailed and less reassuring
than the paper considered by ISOG on 19 May.
1078. In the paper, DFID assessed that the first few months after transition would be a
critical period for establishing stability under new Iraqi structures, building credibility in
the political process, and maintaining consent for multinational military forces after the
end of Occupation.632 The quality of the provision of basic services particularly water,
Minute Treasury [junior official] to Chancellor, 10 June 2004, Iraq UNSCR 1546 and Financial
Management Law.
631
632
Paper DFID, June 2004, Southern Iraq: Reconstruction and Employment After 30 June.
630
186
power and fuel was likely to have a significant impact on those issues, particularly over
the hot summer months. The level of employment would also be important.
1079. DFID reviewed the sources of reconstruction funding for southern Iraq. The last
CPA(South) projects would be completed by 30 September. The PMO would become
by far the largest source of funding (some US$3.1bn of the US$18.4bn IRRF2 was
allocated for the four Southern provinces), but it remained unclear when it would deploy
to the South and it was unlikely to have substantial activity under way before the
autumn. The IIG would have responsibility for spending DFI and other Iraqi revenues
from 30 June, but the UK should not expect the IIG to provide substantial funds for
reconstruction in the short-term. The World Bank and UN Trust Funds were not
expected to become major players until 2005.
1080. DFID concluded that there was a risk of a lull in funding between the beginning
of the CPA wind-down in August and November, when it was reasonable to hope that
both PMO funding and IIG activity would have picked up.
1081. DFID reported that actions being taken to mitigate the gap were:
Deploying a seven-person Project Continuity Team (PCT) to work in the PMO to

administer CPA projects beyond 30 June. DFID had filled most of the posts and
MrNixon was attempting to secure the CPAs agreement to deploy the team.
Securing a full share of US CERPs funding.
Helping the PMO become operational in the South as soon as possible, by
deploying a Transitional Advisory Team to help PMO contractors adjust to local
conditions and engage with Iraqi counterparts. The Team should be in place by
late July, before most PMO contractors had arrived.
Helping Iraqi institutions to become operational quickly by focusing the work of
DFIDs 20m GCBP on directorates involved in basic service provision and job
creation.
Pressing the UN and World Bank Trust Funds to become operational quickly.
DFID was continuing to lobby both organisations.
1082. DFID proposed that the UK could also consider:
providing additional funding for QIPs;
seeking to influence PMO expenditure plans in favour of the South, possibly by

seconding a senior officer into the PMO.
providing small-scale funding for Iraqi municipal councils, to enable them to fund
reconstruction projects; and
1083. DFID also advised that:

CPAs limited data shows no direct relationship between reported levels of
unemployment and violence. Likewise, there is no apparent correlation between lack
187
of basic services (e.g. water) and violence. But it is a widely accepted assumption
that employment and economic well-being will increase support for the Government
and a pool of un- and under-employed men will pose a security risk.
1084. The Annotated Agenda for the AHMGIR meeting stated that delays to PMO
mobilisation raised the risk of a shortfall in funding for reconstruction over the summer.633
The US remained confident that PMO contractors would deploy to Basra shortly; the UK
believed that was optimistic.
1085. The AHMGIR noted the DFID paper, and agreed that the UK should lobby the US
to ensure that IRRF2 funds flowed to the South and to agree additional funding for quick
impact projects.634
The state of Iraq on the eve of transition

1086. MrRichmond reported on 17 June that the threat to staff in Baghdad was at its
highest level since April 2003.635 Journeys outside the Green Zone were only being
approved under exceptional circumstances, seriously handicapping operational capacity
(although work to support the Prime Ministers Office and some other programmes were
continuing). He had asked all staff who were not staying beyond 30 June to leave by
21 June.
1087. MrNixon reported on the same day that the security situation in the South had
improved since April, and was generally quiet.636
1088. MrRichmond reported separately, also on the same day, that attacks on oil
pipelines continued despite enhanced security measures, with four major attacks in
the past few days.637 There were simply not enough resources to protect Iraqs oil
infrastructure against determined insurgents with expertise.
1089. MrHoon told the 17 June meeting of the AHMGIR that UK forces in Maysan were
sustaining 22 percent casualties.638 That could not continue indefinitely, and root causes
such as unemployment needed to be examined.
1090. MrBenn told the meeting that DFID continued to look at the scope for targeting
factors that contributed to insecurity, such as unemployment. DFID was also looking
flexibly at how it provided assistance. One option was to fund provincial authorities
directly (although there were clearly risks, including that such funding might be diverted).
1091. On 21 June, MrRichmond reported the headline results of a CPA-commissioned
poll conducted by Oxford Research International between 19 May and 14 June.639 The
Annotated Agenda, 17 June 2004, Ad Hoc Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
635
Telegram 328 IraqRep to FCO London, 17 June 2004, Iraq: Security of Personnel.
636
Telegram 67 Basra to FCO London, 17 June 2004, Iraq: Security of Personnel in the South.
637
Telegram 329 IraqRep to FCO London, 17 June 2004, Iraq: Oil Infrastructure Attacks.
638
Minutes, 17 June 2004, Ad Hoc Ministerial Group on Iraq Rehabilitation meeting.
639
Telegram 341 IraqRep to FCO London, 21 June 2004, Iraq: New Polling Data.
633
634
188
poll reported that 64 percent of Iraqi citizens said that their life was about the same
or better than a year ago; the comparable figure from the March 2004 report was
81percent. The availability of schools and basic goods were regarded as the most
positive changes; the provision of electricity and jobs the least positive.
1092. MrQuarrey advised MrBlair on 22 June, in advance of a video conference with
President Bush, that reconstruction was still a worry.640 The US and UK needed to
make sure there was no dip in activity over the summer as CPA projects wound down
and new projects under the PMO and IIG started up.
1093. The 25 June meeting of the ISG judged that preparations for transition were on
course.641 The risk of a dip in reconstruction activity through the summer remained.
However, the Iraqi Ministry of Finance had now agreed that CPA projects funded by the
DFI could be managed by the PMO through to their completion, and QIPs and CERPs
were available to commanders for short-term projects when a specific business case
was put forward.
1094. The Occupation of Iraq formally came to an end on 28 June, two days earlier than
had been originally planned, in order to avoid disruption by insurgents.
1095. On the same day, as he prepared to leave Baghdad, MrRichmond sent a
valedictory telegram to the FCO in London in which he assessed the failures and
achievements of the CPA:
After security, services have been the CPAs main failing. Baghdad presently
has fewer than 12 hours per day of electricity no different from a year ago. The
Iraqis had inflated expectations of what CPA could deliver; the Coalition seriously
underestimated the scale of the problem. Sabotage and increasing demand have
compounded the problem but disorganisation and delays in securing funds have
played their part.642
1096. MrRichmond also set out what had gone right, including establishing a political
process and reforming the economy:
[a] new and stable currency has been introduced; an independent Central Bank,
sound monetary policy and budgetary discipline and controls are in place. Higher
wages have resulted in a mini consumer boom. New bank regulations and a new
code of foreign direct investment will, once security improves, position the economy
for rapid growth. The black spot is unemployment (on which estimates differ) but
as the US supplemental [IRRF2] and other donor money kicks in this should be a
diminishing problem.
Minute Quarrey to Blair, 22 June 2004, VTC with President Bush, 22 June.
Minute Cabinet Office [junior official] to Sheinwald, 29 June 2004, Iraq: Strategy Group.
642
Telegram 359 Richmond to FCO London, 28 June 2004, Iraq: Valedictory: The End of Occupation
Part 1 of 2.
640
641
189
1097. MrRichmond reported that CPA advisers had made progress in re-establishing
the machinery of government, reforming ministries, drawing up strategies and putting
proper financial controls in place. There was still some way to go, but there was now
afunctioning system to hand on to the IIG.
1098. A Treasury official who had been seconded to the CPA told a July 2004 Treasury
seminar on Iraq that the CPAs scorecard on economic reform was pretty evenly
balanced.643 Early, good progress (including establishing a single, stable currency) had
been undermined by the CPAs loss of control over the fiscal situation over the last six
months. Some CPA reforms, including unfettered foreign direct investment and full
interest rate liberalisation, had been too ambitious and had irritated Iraqi counterparts.
1099. The same official provided advice to MrBrown on 28 July on UK economic
strategy in Iraq to the end of 2004.644 In that context, the official advised that the CPA
had made substantial progress in establishing a new macroeconomic policy framework
and in liberalising the economy. In particular, the introduction of a new currency and
creation of an independent central bank had proved more successful than expected.
There had also been some substantial failures, including the unfinanced deficit in the
2005 budget and ducking the subsidy issue.
1100. The official also reported that the CPA had missed its target for electricity
generation of 6,000MW (generation was currently peaking at 5,000MW) and for oil
production of 2.5m barrels per day (production was several hundred thousand
barrels less).
1101. In June 2004, the CPA published a review of their accomplishments in helping
the Iraqi authorities assume responsibility for security, establish effective representative
governance, improve essential services, and build a market-based economy.645
1102. Hard Lessons described the review as a glowing report card which missed the
mark.646 Hard Lessons assessed that the Coalitions record was very mixed. The most
serious threat to continuing reconstruction was insecurity.
1103. In his statement to the Inquiry, Ambassador Bremer highlighted the difficulties
created for the CPA by the Coalition militarys inability to provide security, and continued:
Despite these handicaps, and chronic understaffing [of the CPA], the historic record
of the CPAs accomplishments is clear. When the CPA left, Iraqs economy was
rebounding smartly, not just from post war levels, but well beyond the pre-war levels.
Paper, [undated], Transcript of Treasury Seminar held in London on Monday 19 July 2004.
Minute Treasury [junior official] to Chancellor, 28 July 2004, Iraq.
645
Coalition Provisional Authority, June 2004, An Historic Review of CPA Accomplishments.
646
Office, 2009.
643
644
190
And by helping Iraqis draft a modern, liberal constitution, the CPA gave the Iraqi
people the political structure to define a path to representative government 647
Sir Hilary Synnotts assessment

1104. MrBlair told the Inquiry that, although anxiety and concern were occasionally
flagged up very strongly in Sir Hilarys reports from Basra, when Sir Hilary left Iraq at the
end of January 2004, he was, on balance, optimistic rather than pessimistic.648
1105. In response, Sir Hilary wrote to the Inquiry to clarify that his judgement that the
balance of probability is positive had referred only to southern Iraq, the region for which
he had some responsibility, not to the country as a whole, about which he was in no
position to make such an assessment.649
1106. Sir Hilary also emphasised that his judgement should be viewed in the context of
the recommendation he put forward at the time, including at his meeting with MrBlair
in February 2004, that maintaining momentum in CPA(South) could best be achieved
by retaining a multinational development presence in the South, able to draw on the
expertise, contacts and trust built up during the CPA period. However:
In the event, my strategy was not accepted. The international team, who included
a large number of British specialists, was disbanded. While DFID managed a small
number of British-owned projects, the vast majority of the projects which were being
pursued by the CPA failed, as I had feared.
I would not suggest that the alternative approach such as I had proposed would
have prevented the subsequent build-up of violence. But it is possible that the
attitudes of the people of the South would have been more positive if they had
experienced the benefits of the projects as they came on stream Had I known that
the civilian capital, experience and impetus built up over the previous year would be
allowed to fall away I would no doubt have offered a different judgement.
Resources available for reconstruction

1107. At least US$19.4bn was spent on the relief and reconstruction of Iraq during the
Occupation. Of that, US$16.4bn almost 85 percent was Iraqi funding.
1108. The US General Accounting Office (GAO) estimated in June 2004 that as
at the end of April 2004, approximately US$58.3bn had been pledged to the relief
and reconstruction of Iraq, of which at least US$23.7bn had been obligated (subject
to a binding agreement that would result in immediate or future outlay of funds)
Statement, 18 May 2010, page 5.

649
Letter Synnott to Aldred, 24 January 2011, [untitled].
647
648
191
and US$13.7bn disbursed.650 Table 1 shows the breakdown of those totals by

funding source.
Table 1: Total funding for relief and reconstruction, as at April 2004 (US$bn)
US
Appropriations
Available funding
Development
Fund for Iraq
Vested
and seized
assets
International
funding
Total
24.0
18.0
2.7
13.6
58.3
Of which obligated
8.2
13.0
2.5
n/a
23.7
Of which disbursed
3.0
8.3
2.4
n/a
13.7
1109. The GAO stated that they did not have complete and reliable information on
obligations and disbursements by international donors.
1110. The GAO figure for international funding reflected the lower end of the range
(US$13.6bn US$17.3bn) pledged by international donors at the 23/24October 2003
Madrid Donors Conference.
1111. A July 2005 GAO report updated the figures for the Development Fund for Iraq
(DFI) only, to 28 June 2004.651 Table 2 shows the updated breakdown by funding source.
Table 2: Total funding for relief and reconstruction (US$bn)
US
Appropriations
Available funding
Development
Fund for Iraq
Vested
and seized
assets
International
funding
Total
24.0
21.0
2.7
13.6
61.3
Of which obligated
8.2
17.0
2.5
n/a
27.7
Of which disbursed
3.0
14.0
2.4
n/a
19.4
1112. The GAO reported that Iraqi funds (from the DFI and vested and seized assets)
had been used primarily to pay the operating expenses of the Iraqi government, such
as salary payments and ministry operations. Approximately US$7bn had been used for
relief and reconstruction projects.
US General Accounting Office, Report to Congressional Committees, June 2004, Rebuilding Iraq.
Resource, Security, Governance, Essential Services, and Oversight Issues.
651
US General Accounting Office, Report to Congressional Committees, July 2005, Status of funding and
reconstruction efforts.
650
192
UK funding for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction

1113. Section 13.1 describes how the UK Government allocated funds for humanitarian
assistance and reconstruction before and during the Occupation. The allocations were:
In March 2003, the MOD ear-marked 10m for QIPs.
By the end of March 2003, DFID had allocated a total of 210m to humanitarian
relief in Iraq in 2002/03 and 2003/04. In the event, the humanitarian crisis
that had been feared did not materialise. By May, DFID had made available
the uncommitted balance of that funding some 90m for recovery and
reconstruction.
In March 2003, the Treasury agreed that the MOD could spend up to 30m on
humanitarian operations in the UKs AO.
On 9 April 2003, MrBrown announced that he had set aside an additional

US$100m (60m) to back up the UN and the work of reconstruction and
development.652
In August 2003, Ministers agreed an Iraq Strategy within the Global Conflict
Prevention Pool (GCPP) with an allocation of 7.5m in 2003/04 and in 2004/05.
1114. Section 13.1 (Table 10) sets out UK expenditure on humanitarian assistance and
development assistance (reconstruction) by UK financial year (1 April to 31 March). The
UK spent:
110m on humanitarian assistance in 2003/04 (and 19m in 2002/03, to enable

humanitarian agencies to prepare to respond to a humanitarian crisis in Iraq);
99m on development assistance in 2003/04; in addition, the UKs imputed
share of development expenditure by multilateral organisations to which it
contributed was 11m; and
5m from the GCPP.
UK support for the CPA

1115. Departments have been unable to disaggregate figures for their support for the
ORHA and the CPA from their total expenditure in Iraq.
1116. The Inquiry estimates that the UK provided at least 60m, comprising:
29.2m secured by the FCO from the Treasury Reserve to support the CPA.653
The FCO cannot provide a figure for their (non-Reserve) support for ORHA/CPA.
House of Commons, Official Report, 9 April 2003, columns 271-288.

Letter Cabinet Office [junior official] to Iraq Inquiry [junior official], 1 December 2011, Iraq Inquiry:
Funding.
652
653
193
DFID told the Inquiry that it spent about 28m on staff secondments to the CPA
and associated security costs between mid-2003 and 28 June 2004.654
Other departments will have incurred costs in relation to the salaries of their staff
seconded to the CPA.
Reflections on the level of resources available for reconstruction

1117. A number of witnesses told the Inquiry that reconstruction during this period was
not constrained by a lack of funds. MrAndy Bearpark, the CPAs Director of Operations,
told the Inquiry:
we [the CPA] were not in any way resource-constrained in terms of amount of
money. We may have been very constrained in terms of our ability to spend the
money.655
1118. MrBlair echoed this view in his biography:
We had enough money, effort and people to have rebuilt Iraq within a year of
conflicts end.
What happened was that the security situation deteriorated 656
1119. MrBlair continued:
a bigger pre-planned effort and a massive civilian reconstruction programme would
have filled an early vacuum. It would have been an immediate jobs programme for
unemployed Iraqis. But it would be naive in the extreme to believe that this in itself
would have stopped the violence, the origins of which were profound and political.
With a manageable security situation, any shortcomings [in the reconstruction effort]
could quickly have been overcome 657
1120. Sir Suma Chakrabarti told the Inquiry that Iraq had been the number one
recipient of British assistance in 2003/04.658 He agreed with the Inquiry suggestion that
this was sufficient to do a high-quality job in southern Iraq:
so long as we had also got the money that the Coalition Provisional Authority
was meant to allocate as well to the southern region. That was more of the problem.
1121. Looking beyond the CPA period, MrBenn told the Inquiry:
ultimately it wasnt about the availability of money. There were very considerable
sums that the Americans put in; this was in 2003/04 the biggest DFID bilateral
Paper DFID, 14 April 2005, Development Assistance in Iraq; Letter Cabinet Office to Aldred,
13 September 2011, Iraq Inquiry: Request for Further Information on Funding.
655
656
Blair T. A Journey. Hutchinson, 2010.
657
Blair T. A Journey. Hutchinson, 2010.
658
Public hearing, 22 January 2012, pages 12-13.
654
194
programme in the world, which was a sign of the seriousness with which we took it;
and then, of course, there were the resources that Iraq had
The question was: could you actually move the money and apply it and make things
happen on the ground?659
1122. MrBenn added that, in his view, the main obstacle to spending money effectively
was insecurity.660
659
660

195

10.1 Reconstruction - March 2003 To July 2004

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10.1 Reconstruction - March 2003 To July 2004

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SECTION 10.

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

Planning and preparing for the transfer of sovereignty................................................. 163

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

2. Sections 10.1 and 10.2 consider:

the development and implementation of UK reconstruction policy, strategy

the UKs engagement with successive Iraqi governments on reconstruction.

3. Section 10.3 addresses five issues in more detail:

UK policy on Iraqs oil and oil revenues;

planning and preparing to provide humanitarian assistance and reconstruction,

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

UK post-conflict objectives and planning assumption

House of Commons, Official Report, 7 January 2003, column 4WS.

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

Any military presence, should it be necessary, will be temporary and intended to

working with the UN to manage Iraqs oil revenues in order to achieve

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

the prolonged absence of an authorising Security Council resolution;

the absence of additional Coalition partners;

a hostile security environment with low levels of Iraqi consent; and

different timescales, in particular the medium and long term.

16. Ministers, officials and the military continued to assume that:

there would be early agreement on a post-conflict resolution;

Definition and use of Area of Operations (AO) and Area of

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

UN funding needs insufficiently met. Preparedness incomplete

US preparedness for response lacks local experience and based on optimistic

Red Cross Movement preparing but requires substantial funding support

How to maintain the Oil-for-Food (OFF) programme

House of Commons, Official Report, 13 March 2003, column 21WS.

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

underfunding of humanitarian agencies;

agencies not ready to respond effectively and lacking experience outside

the risk that the OFF programme might break down.7

27. DFIDs proposed solutions included:

increased funding for DFID and the MOD;

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

UN agencies preparations and earmarked another 60m from DFIDs contingency

Extending the Oil-for-Food programme

the export of Iraqi oil;

Office of the Iraq Programme, About the programme: Oil-for-Food.

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

two to Kuwait City;

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

Securing and maintaining a permissive environment as soon as possible.

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

Minutes, 27 March 2003, Ad Hoc Meeting on Iraq.

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

House of Commons, Official Report, 10 April 2003, column 435.

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

Publicising humanitarian assistance

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

Letter Watkins to Manning, 12 April 2003, Baghdad: Medical Support.

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

The UK military in the South are heavily focused on recovery issues

the US (providing US$483m, some 56 percent of total donor contributions);

82. At the launch, Ms Louise Frchette, UN Deputy Secretary-General, reported that

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

International Development Committee, Session 2002-2003, Examination of Witnesses (Questions

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004

The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

10.1 | Reconstruction: March 2003 to June 2004